Campaign

Chrono

 

1105-040 Zeke and his wife bought EMERALD PATH, a twenty year-old 200-ton Free Trader, on Hefry (but with two triple turrets ready to go).  They quickly hired a crew and began preparations for their first trip.

 

The best cargo available for speculation was liquor; the best destination for a profit was Knorbes (E888787 2 Ri Ag).

 

Even with that, a quick scan of the Voyage Profit projection showed a loss.  Zeke contacted several megacorporation that makes arms (Delgado Trading LIC, Instellarms LIC, and Ling-Standard Products based on Regina) and offered to carry small, special cargos to Knorbes.  Ling needed a 5-ton shipment taken to Knorbes right away and offered a whopping 175kCR.

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They also found a good amount of freight to go.

 

There were no normal High or Middle passengers, only four Low passengers looking to travel to Knorbes. 

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Zeke then contacted the Corporate Special Cargoes Coordinator of several Megacorporations and found that Sternmetal Horizons had a high priority passenger, Zarc Dartazian, who needed to travel and would pay 150kCr for him to board immediately if no questions were asked.

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Special Passenger

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TAS Form 2 Mod

Character Reference Sheet

 

Player: NPC  Referee: Solo

Date: 10/23/20

Campaign: Regina, REGINA,

  Spinward Marches, 1105-045

Name: Zarc Dartzian

Title: Security Specialist

UPP    STR 9    DEX A    END 5

            INT 8    EDU A    SOC 4

 

Human/male    5’ 11”    165 lbs

Birthdate: 1067-50    Age: 38   

Homeworld: Regina, REGINA,

  Spinward Marches

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Service: Merch, 5 terms,

Final Rank: 3rd Off/Rank-2,

Discharged before retired.

 

Skills:

Gunnery-2            

Streetwise-1

Jack-o-T-1

Gun Cbt (Revolver)-2

Gun Cbt (Shotgun)-1

Blade Cbt (Cutlass)-2

 

Notes: Chases girls, drinks lots of caffeine, quiet but unpredictable.  Plays guitar.  Became a bodyguard and then a security guard after leaving the merchant marines.  Now does special jobs increasing security or destabilizing corporate or government efforts.

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Sternmetal arranges for a high priority, no questions asked, passenger.  A young athletic-looking man arrives the day before launch and introduces himself as Zarc Dartazian.  Unbeknownst to the crew he is being dispatched for a mission on Knorbes involving a wealthy agriculturist who failed to deliver product despite receiving advance payment.  But, Zarc is not a threat to EMRALD PATH and its crew…far from it if he is treated with respect and discretion.  In fact he is likely to greatly favor a crew who helps him stay safe while getting him around to key destinations and ensure that they are well paid for their efforts.

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Weapons:

Revolver, TL 6, 6 rds per clip

  1 kg loaded, Dmg: 3D

Cutlass, TL 3, 1.25 kg, Dmg: 2D

Shotgun, TL 5, 10 rds per clip

  3.75 kg loaded, Dmg: 4D

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Equipment:

Black t-shirt

Black trousers

Black shoes

Black wrist watch

Black inertial locator band

Revolver, holster,

  speed loader, silencer

  (all black)

Cutlass w/ scabbard (black)

Sea bag: assorted clothes

  and disguise kit, cloth

  armor (reversible - black or

  white); two boxes of ammo

  (100 rds revolver), two boxes

  of ammo (20 rds shotgun);

  Hand Computer, Med rng

  commo; Binoculars, IR

  goggles, Light Intensifier

  Goggles, electric torches,

  handcuffs;

Electric guitar w/ hard case,

  amp/speaker/processor

Wallet: 300CR

Imperial bank: 4,250 CR

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Unrefined fuel was purchased; there is no gas giant in the Hefry system and EMERALD PATH was unable to use its scoops and refining gear.

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With all preparations ready, Zeke recommended a good night’s sleep for everyone and he and Becky turned in.  Chase, Karen, and Angie went out for a few drinks but even they turned in relatively early after an uneventful but pleasant evening.  (As determined by rolls.)

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The next day Zeke made a dazzling takeoff (12 + Pilot-2 - 0 for maintenance caught up = 14).  It was a good start.  With civilian gear, EMERALD PATH automatically detected anything within 150mm (was using 1/10 Trav scale to display a 2D plot (so that it fit on my 8" x 6" Blue Binder's 5mm grid graph paper).

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Rolled a 6 for starship detection (+2 for Hefry Scout Base = 8) on the Starport C encounter column, yielded a 200-ton Free Trader detection.  Rolled to determine inbound.  Checked reaction: 10 = Responsive.  She was the inbound KATY ANN (randomly chosen name) arriving from Regina (also randomly chosen) full of assorted foods, tech items, and clothing.  The ships cheered each other on to good fortune; both were happy to report boring news, and neither had seen pirates or other trouble.

 

EMERALD PATH headed out toward its jump point beyond the gas giant and guests were warned to use the freshers one last time before jump.  The medic, Karen Carmichael, offered dramamine but Zarc and the crew declined.  Preparations were made for jump.  Everyone straped in and Karen checked on Zarc and the low berths.  Becky checked the generators, fuel, and jump drive as well as general stowage and material readiness.  Zeke set the coordinates and announced the time until jump.  When everyone reported ready, he engaged the jump drive and the ship shuddered...then lurched.  They were in jump space.  After system checks, Zeke passed the word and everyone unstrapped.

 

During jump space Zeke studied Navigation.  (His skill level was not even 0 so normally this would be impossible; as an open-minded Referee I sometimes allow a Roll 12 on 2d6...eventually, even for me.)  He is smart and well educated so watching "tapes" in lieu of formal training was not entirely without hope.  If nothing else, it was an interesting diversion.

 

Becky thought about having kids, and they talked about it.  Zeke did not rule it out…but wanted to wait - they needed to make a profit on this voyage first.  She understood but was feeling pressure to get started on a family.  Instead she worked on her Gun Combat (auto pistol) skill; she had embarked on a four year program (needed an 8+ and rolled a 10) beginning in 1105-40 and she was determined to train each jump. 

 

Medic/Steward Karen Carmichael wanted to start a physical training program but kept failing to stick to it (rolled a 6 and needed an 8.)

 

Gunner/Marine Chase Rondo did not have that problem; he needed an 8+ and rolled a 10.  He enjoyed the workout.  (As long as he can stick to it he will increase every physical attribute by 1.)

 

Gunner/Marine Angie Ranier was plagued by deep secrets, but the crew was new together and she was not sharing anything yet.  Instead, she kept her silence and tried to work on her Gun Combat (Auto Rifle) skill...but was distracted and failed to stick to it.  She was able to work on her Blade Combat (Cutlass) skill; that took strength and benefited from anger where shooting required calm.  She had begun her Cutlass training in a four year program back on 1105-40 and had a long way to go.  But she paid it no mind.  For now she enjoyed the slack and jab of the blad and the exhaustion it brought.  (She needed to throw 8+, no DMs, and rolled a 9.  She  must maintain access to the weapon and train each jump to maintain the Cutlass-3 level.)

 

Checked to see if there would be any significant crew interactions and rolled a 10 (against 8+),  So, yes, an interaction was indicated.  With the PC (Protagonist)?  Rolled an 8+ again, so one of the two parties was Zeke.  Used a small temporary table and rolled a 3 on 1-12, learning that Information would be gained.  To see who would be sharing the Information, rolled a 2 on 1-6 for other crewmemebers and so it was Becky.  Rolled a 10 on 1-12 for level of significance and determined that Zeke found Becky alone and in tears.  In checking to see if she wanted to share the Information with Zeke I rolled a 7 on 8+ and gained a No.  This required Zeke to attempt a Leadership roll (6+2 = 8) to get the Information out of her (inquire),  There is no INT gap between the two (Becky's SOC is higher by 2, she actually really wants to tell) so when he pursues it he succeeds.  The opening scene will play out on the next planet (because of her reluctance to fully share), but he becomes aware that Becky has a deep issue that she is not sharing with him during jump space.  (She very much wants to have a baby, is waiting to see if the trip is a financial success, and dreads finding out that it is a failure.)

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Zarc also has a crew interaction, and by roll it too is determined to be with Zeke.  Zeke is suspicious of his passenger, Zarc Dartazian, and the No Questions mandate is a challenge for someone bent on keeping his ship and crew safe.  Zarc doesn't want to violate his orders and share anything with Zeke but he could really benefit from the captain's support.  Zarc tries to decide how much he should share (and rolls a 10 against an 8+).  

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Zeke knows that he should not ask questions but he cannot help himself, partly due to his frustration with Becky.  He asks some questions privately (hoping a Leadership roll will help and rolls 5 against an 8+) and risks Zarc's anger.  Zarc has already decided to provide some information and does not push back.

 

Zeke learns that Zarc is a Security Specialist for Sternmetal Horizons and is being dispatched for a mission on Knorbes involving a wealthy agriculturist (Agrimond Alcove) who failed to deliver product (a plant derivative that induces onconsciouness in zhodani and humaniti) despite receiving advance payment.  The issue is not a threat to EMERALD PATH and its crew and Zeke is relieved.  After their conversation Zeke began to think...and make connections.

 

Thinking the name Agrimond Alcove was familiar and perhaps stamped on a special cargo lot, the captain invited Chase Rondo to join him in the cargo bay.  They found a small 5-ton Ling cargo in the back stamped for Alcove.  Zeke asked Chase if he had some skills that would make an intrusion undetectable.  Chase did have skills in that area but was no expert.  Zeke said he was worried about Customs and authorized the "iinspection".  Chase (rolled a 10 +1 for Streetwise and) was fairly sure there were no traps or recorders.  He popped the crate open and they found a full load of weapons (shotguns, high quality rifles, and grenades).  The contact name was with the paperwork inside - Agrimond Alcove.

 

Zeke thanked Chase and had him seal it back up.  The law level on Knorbes was high and the weapons could be a problem.  With the help of Chase and Angie, they rearranged the cargo so that the special weapons cargo was in the least accessible corner and hard to see or reach.

 

After thinking about it, Zeke called Zarc to his cabin and quietly let him know the name with the weapons cargo.  Zarc masked his reaction but let Zeke know that he was grateful.  "Glad I shared risky information with you, Captain.  My trust was well placed."

 

EMERALD PATH jumped out of hyperspace (rolled for a Misjump, 13+: rolled 6 + 1 for Unrefined Fuel = 7, no misjump).  The ship arrived at its destination system.

 

Zeke worked to get a navigation fix using Jack-o-T-1; he rolled a 7 and did not get one.  Meanwhile the Engineer tested the Maneuver drive.

 

In the process Becky noted that despite assurances the ship had not received a weekly systems check.  She threw 13+ for drive failure and applied the following DMs: +0 (+1 if using unrefined fuel and not equipped to do so, +1 per engineer missing from the crew list, +1 per week past annual maintenance overhaul date). The roll was a 7 with no positive modifiers added, so there was no malfunction in maneuver, jump or power plant.  Becky lectured herself for being distracted and vowed that next time checks would be completed well before take-off.

 

Zeke failed three more navigation checks before succeeding.  For now this meant that it took him 12 hours before he was successful but the unual delay was not a problem.  Only then did he successfully set course for Knorbes, about thirty hours away.

 

An ISS 200-ton Scout came out to intercept them.  He sounded angry and ordered them to prepare for a boarding.  The boarding was heavy handed and Karen was unsuccessful in attempting to lower the tension even with Becky's help (Rolled 4 + 2 + 1=7).  Zarc's credentials wee scrutinized, called in, and reluctantly accepted.  The cargo was searched  but not carefully enough and nothing suspicious was found. 

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They were permitted to land at Knorbes Startown in Main. They donned vacc suits, tested systems, and headed down.  But, a problem arose during landing (Rolled 5 + 2 = 7); a partial loss of power threw the ship into a flat spin and ship's gravity was lost.  The Engineer (Becky) was able to recover power (rolled 7 + 2 = 9) and ship's gravity and Zeke was able to land safely (6+2=8).  The crew was somewhat shaken by the day but acted as if they were not.

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Once landed, Zarc shook hands with the crew and departed with his luggage.  Knorbes Startown was a frontier quality starport, basically a flat rocky area with no fuel or facilities.  However, there were several buildings that handle cargoes and storage and beyond them was some bars and shops.  Beyond that there was a chain link fence marking the edge of the starport, and a gate with two guards that were lounging in unpowered combat armor with automatic rifles.  Zarc disappeared into the starport; it was not clear if he headed straight for the gate.

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Karen revived the four passengers in Low PSG +1 to (6, 6, 8, and 9) and all survived.  Zeke headed to the Port Office to receive payment for his 25 tons of freight.  A team from Ling was already there and headed to the ship with stevedores in tow.  Zeke then looked for a buyer for his liquor (RI +2, Admin +1, rolled 8 = 11; 150% = 157,500CR).  The total voyage profit was a whopping 244,890CR.  Zeke immediately paid off the special short-term loan he had risked leaving a healthy 139,890 credits.  He returned and gave Becky a hug and the good news. 

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Becky began crying.  Zeke tried again to figure out what is going on (Rolled a 10+1=11).  In private she finally relaxed and explained that she desperately wanted to have a baby but had been waiting until they could afford it.  He nodded and asked for a little time to get used to the idea but said he is not opposed.  Becky teased that she was ready to begin practicing when he was ready.

 

First Zeke takes a quick look at planets he could reach from Knobes (Rich, Ag) during the next leg: Alell (Rich), Uakye (Non-Industrial), Whanga (Non-industrial), Roup Industrial, Water world), Forboldn (Non-industrial), Hefry (Non-industrial), and Ruie (Industrial) were in range of his jump drive.  He rolled (5 & 5); the speculative cargo available was Armored Vehicles, Purch I-5, R-2 = -2 plus Zeke's Admin = -3 on a 7 mil vehicle.  He would need to cut a deal to be able to speculate…and there were no unstable systems within range.  He did not make an offer, and decided to wait a week if necessary.

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Then Zeke hurried to pay the crew.  They wanted to explore the port and find a tavern.  He said that he and Becky had some business and would join them later and asked that they radio back where they land for dinner.  If they did, he'd buy dinner and drinks.  Zeke then returned to the master stateroom with Becky to "practice."

 

Chase, Angie, and Karen headed out to explore the port in nice clean Cloth armor uniforms.  The two marines wore only cutlasses, no firearms.

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The crew explored Knorbes…the first evening only Chase, Angie and Karen went out.  The Captain and Becky did not ever meet with them for dinner but their absence was barely noted.  They rolled a 66 so no random persons were encountered.  After dinner they then went to the Starport Tavern and had a few pleasant drinks.  They did meet a Smuggler (rolled 1 and a 5) who was (rolled a 10) Responsive (Bk 3, page 27).  Her name was Tinder Tharsis and she had a “cargo” that was needed on Roup.  It was only 5 tons and looked like electronics parts.  The three asked her to meet the Captain at the ship tomorrow; A discussion might be possible.  Liberty was fun, nothing bad happened, and the three slept well (and late) that night.

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The next morning the captain received the note About Thasis, met her at the brow, and after a chat was indeed interested.  If he couldn’t cost share the Armored Vehicles, he didn’t want to wait a week for the next cargo opportunity if he didn't have to.  He asked Tinder for a private conversation, and they stepped into his cabin to talk terms.  Becky was sleeping in late too.

 

End of Voyage 1; 1105-054

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Voyage Profit/Loss

 

Previous Bank Balance: 0 CR

From/To: Hefry-Knorbes, 2 wks

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EXPENSES                                                                

Mortgage (1/480th) 137,865CR

Fuel (500/100/0ton x 50 tons)

                                     5,000CR

Life Support (2k/SR x 4SR)

                                     8,000CR

Maint                           2,545CR

  (Price/2kCR=66.175MCR/26)

Crew Salaries1            7,500CR

Berthing Fees                 100CR

Misc2 (Registration 100)100CR

Special3                        500CR

  (Loan 105 kCR speculation)

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       EXPENSE SUBTOT  161,610CR

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INCOME

Cargo Sale             157,500CR

  Cargo Purch4      105,000CR

Cargo Net                 52,500CR

Passengers Hi (10k)           0CR

Passengers Mid (8k)         0CR

Passengers Lo (1k)     4,000CR

Freight                       25,000CR

  (1K/tonx25tons) 

Special Cargo:

  Mail                              0CR

  Ling guns          175,000CR

                                  175,000CR

Special Passengers:

  Sternmetal, high pri,

  no Q's, one pax)    150,000CR

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  INCOME SUBTOT   406,500CR

                  PROFIT   244,890CR

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New Bank BAL:       244,890 CR

 

 

1 Crew wages: Pilot Zeke 6kCR, Nav Chase 5kCR, Eng Becky 4kCR, Stew Karen 3kCR, Med Karen 2kCR, Gunner(s) Angie & Chase 1kCR

2 Customs, taxes, permits, fees, licenses, etc.

3 Short term loans: for cargo speculation, damage repair, loss coverage, etc.  

4 Liquor cargo was 15 tons @ 10kCR base = 150,000 CR purchased @ 70% for 105,000CR.

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