...in the Albadawi Sector
* * Begin Feb 17 session * *
In the briefing, Troih reveals that the origin of the recent outbreak at BWI's Kidashi office originated relatively close by; most likely from a Lysani Laboratory vessel in the York Sub-Sector [a dependency of Irashdaa]. The Syncomen is a standard 400-ton lab ship, using local and imported MSF [Molds, Spores, Fungi] for its experiments. It is strongly suspected that in the movement of various MSF from the salvaged Annic Nova and the Chinon artifact to BWI Kidashi, then to the Syncomen and back, resulted in the contagion *somehow* crossing sub-sectors.
Note: It wasn't hard to relocate Death Station to a different backwater rock, close to the Kidashi operation base of the group's patron, Black-Wagner Interstellar, LLC. The overall location is not important to the adventure itself, so a move from Harlequin to Albadawi [or anywhere else, really] is no problem. This is a good adventure to drop in to almost any campaign, any location, and any time line. It also has lots of potential to be modified to fit whatever your ongoing narrative is, or as a break from the usual plot line.
Altho the impact on Kidashi wasn't disastrous, it had the potential to be disastrous, which caught the attention of the local authorities. The possible interstellar nature of the incident makes it a matter for the Imperial Ministry of Health which strives to uphold it's motto "Healthy People, Happy People".
Lysani Labs [LL] is a completely legit corporation with [until now] an unremarkable track record...almost TOO unremarkable, really [hmmmm...]. But as a corporate suspect in the Kidashi outbreak, the Imperial Ministry of Health is keen to dis/prove quickly the York / Syncomen origin. Also, if there is any illegal activity or violation of protocols, the Ministry wants to exact substantial penalties and clean house.
Given this, Team Bravo-7 is contracted to investigate the Syncomen and confirm any wrong-doing before the evidence can be destroyed in that backwater of interstellar space. In other words, they have to catch them before they "flush the coke down the toilet". Only using stealth can the Ministry get to the bottom of the problem before the problem goes bottoms-up on an unsuspecting and important sector with billions of lives and credits at stake.
Despite the urgency, the Ministry of Health is less equipped for investigation and enforcement than for scientific inquiry, i.e. that's its budget priority. While it could leverage local enforcement, for reasons undisclosed to BWI they prefer to use an outside contractor well known for its discretion, success, and reasonable price point. "Black-Wagner Intersteller, LLC - for the problems you don't want anyone to know about" is a running joke among the employees.
The briefing portion concluded, the Team hashed out the outline of their approach to this contract. Many ideas are put forward, especially regarding the "stealth investigation" aspect of the contract. Some Troih puts the kabash on, others he notes down for follow-up, and other times he just nods and says, "we could do that". What are the resources and connections of BWI? Only Troih knows, and he never says more than is necessary, even to a Team...
The approach, similar to those in the past, is to evade detection as BWI contractors by "being real", i.e. having real, legitimate, standard contracts for goods, services, etc, that are completely normal and don't attract attention.
Situation, York sub-sector: It is known that the Syncomens typically cruises between York and the sub-sector's gas giant, Clortho-9 [from click]:
This spares personnel the onerous task of making fueling runs that require weeks confined on a small pinnace. As a relatively isolated site with few luxuries, LL uses two types of contracts for the York / Syncomens operation:
1) Permanent employees rotate three months on ship, three months on York, and six months at LL's large corporate office on Irashdaa.
2) Temporary employees rotate three months to York or on ship, with bonuses paid for an immediate additional 3 months at either location [reduces travel expenses].
Working with the Ministry of Health and leveraging its and BWI's capabilities and connections, the Team comes up with a plan:
- Three Members have superior skill sets to offer LL: Jerek [Engineer 4, Computer 3], Simpson [Pilot 3, Navigation 2], Doc Heintz [Computer 3, Medical 2]. Some of the others are potentially employable. LOE1: using personnel providers on Irashdaa, get legitimate contracts for some Team Members to work at the LL corporate site on York or on the Syncomen itself; infiltrate the sites and gather leads and evidence.
- The rest of the team will work off of the free trader Eclipse. LOE2: Through BWI's commercial group, INTERSTEX, Inc. ["When it absolutely, positively, HAS to be there in a fortnight"], actual contracts for goods to take from Kidashi to Irashdaa and Irashdaa to York will be made. Further, additional "employed members" will be transported should those contracts get cut in time. The return will be goods mined from York and personnel rotating back to Irashdaa.
- After the infiltration team is on site(s), LOE3: establish secure communications through York or courier / supply vessels or direct contact with Eclipse.
* * This ended Feb 17 session * *
* * Begin March 2 session * *
The great big cassette slot for programs is on the side of this model
At the impressive spaceport...
Next day, they are taking on cargo...
Hilde and Simpson are working on the Bridge and in Avionics...
In the Cargo Bay, Oran, Big Phil, and Zigars are receiving the cargo. Jerek is running checks on the Drives next door:
Up on the Passenger Deck, Wineston, Glitch and Doc are taking their ease, preparing to work a late guard mount over the ship:
Simpson checks them out in the vid, seeing a ginger-haired pursed-lip official holding an unusual ID and embossed paperwork up to the vid-cam, flanked by a phalanx of blue uniformed and lightly [but openly] armed attendants. These look watchful but relaxed:
Captain Simpson gives the heads-up to Oran Biel [NPC] who is the Administrative Lead for the Bravo-7 Team. Oran waves Big Phil over and tells Zigars to hop into the Drive Room and give Jerek warning. Oran nods they're ready, and CPT Simpson pops the locks and greets the official party in his very best formal Anglic, ushering them into the Cargo Bay. The Boys in Blue fan out, backs to the bulkhead:
Meanwhile, Oran briskly knocks on Wineston's door.
"My name is Peck - Fahlter Peck. I've a permissive to search this vessel, verify its contents and crew, and take such administrative actions as I deem necessary," he says in an imperious tone, snapping the paperwork under Simpson's nose.
"Of course, Maestro; you will find us not only compliant to all official enactions but cooperative in the best spirit of Imperial citizens," says Simpson smoothly.
"Hmmph! We shall see and be graced by said conduct," Peck emphasizes. "Yet, my title is Sub-Assistant Kronographer, not Maestro, if you would be so kind."
Simpson goggles somewhat. "Sub Assistant Kron...erhm, of what bureau, may I ask?"
"Office of Kronology and Temporal Periodization, of course!" Says Peck. "It is on the permissive, my carte, and their chests." And indeed, each officer in blue has what appears to be a traditional local enforcement badge, except that behind the shield - and encompassing it - is an antique Kronograph, radiant in OR .
"Indeed, it is so," says Simpson quickly recovering. "I will gladly take you to the bridge where you will be shown that which you require."
"And I will bring additional proofs and papers down from our administrative port-folio and join you there" says Oran, heading for the stairs to the passenger level above.
Peck and Simpson head to the bridge air lock, leaving Big Phil to chat with the quartet of Blues. There's some relaxing in their stance once Peck is gone, so Big Phil sizes them up, and says, "So...wattzit like working this gig?"
"S'alright" says a younger, friendlier one. "Work is steady and regular, benefits are better than the pay-up, as yuh'd tink"
"Beats the Army, I say," says an older one, polite but reserved.
"Yeah, I got enuffa dat meself. I was dinking bout bein' an expert in exotic dirt when I got my see-ya papers," says Big Phil to some chuckles.
"Ware-ya keep ya dirt collection?" asks the older one meaningfully.
"Unduh my nails, a-coarse," grins Big Phil to him, holding out his hands, completing the second oldest joke of grunts in every-space.
"Ha!" barks the older one, "He's alright, I say, gotz iz bonney-fides 'in order.'
"How long and wherez-at?" asks another, with trademark narrow, sleepy eyes.
"Too long," says Big Phil, avoiding the answer to question two. "Say, those's some nice patches ya gott - any fer trade?" Big Phil reaches into his waist-sack and pulls out a thick wad of patches he has on hand for opportunities such as this. The officers cluster around as he hands them around to some oohs and aahs, and "where'n the 'verse you get dat'un??" Conversation continues...
Meanwhile, Hilde also greets Peck, but with a complicated greeting that somehow is exceedingly polite yet informs Peck that she has more Social standing than his entire family tree and is slumming just by looking upon him. Peck colors slightly. She turns back to her console and begins bringing up necessary manifests and data that Simpson requests to show Peck.
"Wazzit?" says a half-sleepy voice.
"Official visitor and entourage. You're needed on the bridge!" The door slides open revealing a rumpled Wineston rubbing his hand through his course hair.
"Say what?"
"Some Imperial bureaucrat from 'a burah yah never heardah' is what I say. I'm grabbing papers and heading to the bridge - grab what you may need and be ready in 5," says Oran, punching the button for his state room, then turning about to walk inside. In five, they give the Medical staff a heads-up then head to the bridge. The "medical staff" live up to their motto of "we paste-em and patch'em", gathering up med-kits and SMGs, but holding off at the top of the Upper Drive Room ladder chute where they make some plans with Jerek and Zigars in the Drive Room...
"Zak, You keep watch," he says to the young officer. He and the other two begin splitting up the pages and fanning out. Meanwhile, Oran and Peck exchange yet more paperwork. Peck then walks over to watch the officers check cargo while glancing at Oran's foglio. Oran and Wineston gather with Simpson, keeping a polite but wary eye on Peck. Wineston looks through the papers. "Yeah, I know these guys. You can see the watermark around the border - they're Imperial Offices."
"He doesn't act like Household, in my experience," says Oran dubiously.
"Oh, he's not Household," humphs Wineston, "he's Secondary Services Offices, not the same thing at all. They're not a big Office, I am only just aware of them, and that's only because I didn't doze off after lunches in paper-pushing school."
"Well, what in the Emperor's fine clothes does this guy want?" asks Oran.
"Beats me, but it shouldn't be a big deal." The officers are wrapping up the cargo check, and hand the manifest papers to Peck, who walks over, neatly aligning the papers by side into the holder. He hands them to Oran, looking at Simpson.
"All is in order. I will have to commandeer this vessel," he says a challenge in his eyes and stance. Simpson and Oran look at Wineston. Wineston keeps his gaze at Peck. "Yes, he can do that, according to these papers. Within administrative limits, of course," he emphasizes.
"Of course, Gentles All," smiles Peck, "you are going just where I need to go. I will be back in the morning with my baggage and one Kronopoliz to assist. We will each need a stateroom, which you appear to be able to accommodate." He departs, waving the Kronopolizmen after him, and they follow him out the airlock.
"What a peck," observes Wineston when the airlock snaps shut. "C'mon, we need to discuss. Call off the dogs and gather the pack in the flight crew commons."
Team Bravo-7 disperses to do just that.
In the crew commons, Wineston informs them that it is not unusual for ships to be "commandeered" to take important Imperial passengers to destinations, but as is the case now, usually to a place they are going already. Thus it is more like enforcing a free ride than actually commandeering the vessel. Should the vessel incur costs, a true free trader like Eclipse would have to be compensated.
"There's a buncha regs on it, of course, but the BLUF is that we're taking Peck and a pal to York and he doesn't pay anything unless he forces us to deviate or miss cargo and passenger points that cost us. Best we just settle him down in the style his type are accustomed to and be 'just another conveyance' for them."
"But what is he all about, and what in the Emperor's bones is that office?" demand not a few of the crew.
"Well, it's just what it sounds like. The Office of Kronology and Temporal Periodization is responsible for the recording of a common time for all the Imperium, reconciling it with alien sophonts outside the Empire, and enforcing it within the Empire.
"Enforcing it??" asks Jerek.
"Yup," jumps in Big Phil, before Wineston can answer, "de mussels sez theyz wit somethin' called 'Kalendar Komplience', whatevuh dat iz."
"Yeah," says Wineston to the wondering crew, "they can invoke Imperial authority to enforce it, also. The difficulty is that while my Ministry, and all the civil ministries that actually do most of the work of the Empire report up the food chain to civil authority, he answers only to the Emperor." Hilde looks a-scorn at this.
"It would be more accurate to say of him that he answers to someone who answers to someone who answers to someone else who answers to the Emperor."
"Yeah, and it means that at a parallel level, he and I don't have any authority over each other. Also, I do remember that there are very few "Kronographers" so he's only two levels below them, and likely is higher on the payscale than I am as an Investigator...altho the title is officially 'Senior Investigator' I must say," he glances around, chuckling. "Still, best to just play it cool and loose, and not reveal my purpose. That I can keep to myself even if I have to assert that this is a vessel contracted to the Ministry.
"This is what happens when you give too much authority to a shop-keeper's son who likes it too much," observes Hilde sourly. Wineston laughs.
"Yeah...*I* have the authority, but I do what I do for 'Healthy and Happy People'!"
* * *
Next morning, Peck arrives well before Eclipse's lift time, with the young Kronopolizman in tow. He settles into large stateroom 9, which Doc decamps from, doubling up in 10 with Glitch, the blue takes 7 which Wineston relocates out of to a flight crew cabin. From there, he can reveal and then flex his Ministerial Authority should it be necessary, to push back against the officious Peck.
Over the next week, during the jump to York, Peck keeps largely to himself, pecking away at his impressive portable computer [slightly smaller but with a more elaborate case than Wineston's] emerging only to avail himself of the facilities and galley. Big Phil, Zigers, and Glitch use the time-honored trick of cards and fire-water to discover that Kronopolizman Zak is exactly who and what he appears to be, and, with a very modest amount of time served, has nothing particularly useful to inform the group about. Peck notices them singing and laughing in the common area, but clearly couldn't care less, so Team Bravo-7 relaxes but stays a bit wary. They all settle into their routines of training, studying, and working the vessel during the week of the jump to York.
Wineston has moved to stateroom 3, in the crew's area.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this session!
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