Free-Spacers, The Gravity Age IC

[Sicarius]

Suvar

"Now that is useful." Suvar flipped a coin in the air, and made sure the communications channel was not open. "I can easily pose as a Confederate Representative and demand his surrender in exchange for the freedom to not have his colony blown out of the sky by militant types who consider his crew nothing but terrorists. It would go a long way into proving faith with the Confederates that they are legitimate in their belief."

[Meshakhad]

"How about we go with my plan?" Koriel suggested. "We can leave threats for later."

Another thought entered his head.

"But that might work if we have him alone. I've dealt with this sort of terrorist before. They're true to their cause, willing to do anything for it. I have no doubt Halo would die for his cause - maybe he would be willing to surrender his freedom. He comes with us, we leave the colony alone."

[The_Snark]

Saela

Saela does what she can to set up a boost for the engines; whatever she's accomplished didn't take her more than a few hours to piece together.

And while her temper has improved slightly over the trip, to the point where she joins in for a few hands of cards, she still snaps "Can we maybe stick with one plan at a time? Me, I don't like the idea of walking right into his hands before we give the ultimatum. Either we claim to be Feds, or we go in as potential colonists, cha? Not both."

[Meshakhad]

"Yeah, good point. Leave the whole 'threaten him' thing as a potential extraction plan. We'll stick to the 'potential colonist' plan for the recon."

Koriel looks at Tex. "Captain? It's your call."

[Sicarius]

Suvar

Suvar threw up his hands innocently. "Alright then. Not going to step on your toes or get you worked up over it."

[jagadaishio]

Jane

Jane spent most of the trip setting up as many firewalls on its mind as possible, for protection in the event of seizure. At the time of being hailed, Jane chooses not to weigh in on the decision of the plan. It's willing to stand behind either, and besides, it's putting the finishing touches on the firewalls.

Computer Use - (1d20+17)[37]

[TwoBitWriter]

You are hailed again...

"We still have not received a response. If you do not respond in five minutes, you will be escorted out of the system. If you refuse to comply, we will open fire."

[Sicarius]

Suvar

Suvar grabbed the comm and send out a return audio-only communication. "Please don't shoot. The comm is always on the fritz. We had heard this was the new Paradise, and we came looking for a home of our own."

[Boggs]

Tex

Tex thinks for a moment, looking back to the crew. "For now, it's safer to pose as potential colonists. We aren't exactly prepped for Fed-disguises... plus, less margin of error this way."

Tex comes over the comm, "Sorry about that, I was in the can. You know how these long voyages can be... we come seeking settlement."

He goes off comm, speaking to the crew, "If any of you have some kind words to say now is the time."

[TwoBitWriter]

The response is quick. "Roger that, welcome noble brothers and sisters of the Celar! You will find New Prospect on the fourth planet. We are uploading landing coordinates now. You will be provided with lodgings and food. When you are rested you will meet with our leader who will interview you for job placement. If you have any questions, you may relay them to the New Prospect Port Authority..."
Jane receives the coordinates, and the two fighters glide away, toward the fourth planet. You follow, and are soon hailed by the Port Authority.

"Welcome to New Prospect, the great hope of the Celar race. You are cleared for landing in Docking Bay 5. Please inform us of how many passengers are aboard your ship..."

You enter the planet's atmosphere. At some point someone has constructed a starport here, which you are surprised to see. It looks old, and was most likely a facility built for the corporate prospectors and was abandoned by them and is now inhabited by Halo and his "colonists." You can see the Artificial Atmosphere Pods jutting from the Starport, that must be the colony itself. It is small, but large enough to house hundreds of people. Located North of the colony in a separate facility is what appears to be a hydroponic facility for food production.

[SurlySeraph]

Mkanu

Mkanu furrows his brow, and makes sure he is nowhere near a communications unit. “They said they want to know how many people are on the ship. Is there some way we can make sure they do not notice those of us who will not be going to negotiate? Or should we just let them know the captain and myself are here, before any psychics or scanners check over the ship? If we do not want to fight, we cannot let them think we are hiding anything from them.” He pauses in thought for a moment. “In any case, make sure you can communicate back to us. If negotiations go... go…” Mkanu struggles to think of a word that has the full range of connotations he’s looking for. Finally, he settles on understatement: “If negotiations go badly, I want to make sure I can cover your escape.”

[Meshakhad]

"Tell them three crew plus two Mutates passengers and an android."

[Sicarius]

Suvar

"They'd make us leave as soon as we disembarked the potential colonists." Suvar pointed out.

[The_Snark]

Saela

"Then we say we'll want a ride out of here, either to tell our families to come along or in case we want to head elsewhere. You guys just sit tight on the ship and they can't complain—you're already here, so it isn't like you're more of a security leak by staying around a bit than you otherwise would be." Saela shrugs. "If they're nervous enough to want you out, they're nervous enough to search the ship. No good hiding."

[Sicarius]

Suvar

Suvar shrugged. "I wouldn't be surprised if they made us leave anyway, and arrange transport on their own. But nothing is ever without risk. Let me know when you want me to pop over into your heads. It makes me rather unresponsive to things on my side."

[jagadaishio]

Jane

"Whatever you're going to tell them, you should decide on it fast," says Jane, pocketing its computer card. "Unless you want things to go bad fast when their patience wanes."

[The_Snark]

Saela

Saela leans over the captain's shoulder and flips the comm on again. "Two of us, plus the ship's crew, that's three. And their synthetic."

[TwoBitWriter]

There is a slight delay in response from the Port Authority, but finally the comm crackles to life.

"Please unload your Mutate passengers. The rest are welcome to enjoy our hospitality for the evening as thanks for bringing fellow Celar to their new destiny. A New Prospect representative will meet with you in the hangar bay to show you your lodgings for the evening and to take your Celar passengers to meet with our leader for welcome and orientation."

The Mutate who greets you in the hangar has a third arm protruding from his chest and skin covered with a thin layer of scales. He is accompanied by a humanoid synthetic, dressed in an Earth-style business suit. The Mutate himself is wearing a purple jumpsuit with a third sleeve sewn in to accomodate his arm.

He shakes each of your hands, using all three of his, and speaks to Koriel and Saela. "Welcome to New Prospect, brother and sister Celar. My name is Ishrae and I am the Manager of Colonists' Affairs here on New Prospect. It is my job to greet all incoming Celar and escort them to The Leader."
He turns to the rest of the crew. "My humblest thanks are in order for your safe escort of my brethern. Please follow Mirm here," Ishrae says, indicating the synthetic, "to our guest quarters where you will be fed and housed for the evening as a token of our appreciation."

"Now, if you two would be so kind as to come with me, we can make acquaintances." He offers right arm to Saela, smiling. "And you are...?"

At the same time, the synthetic Mirm turns to the non-Mutate members of the crew, beckoning them toward a seperate exit. "This way to your quarters please... If there are any questions you have about the colony I will be happy to answer them." Mirm starts shuffling off toward the exit door, while Ishrae leaves for another.

[jagadaishio]

Jane

Jane tries to make eye contact with Saela, hoping that she'll pipe up and say that the synthetic goes with the mutates. It doubts that the escort will let it accompany them if anyone other than one of their 'new members' says it. And it doubts that it can gain much of an access to most of their local systems from wherever the main crew is being lodged. Hell, they may have isolated that area entirely, just in case of a situation like this.

[Meshakhad]

Koriel piped up.

"The synthetic comes with us."

[Sicarius]

Suvar

Suvar nearly hit himself in the head. He should've given Koriel a refresher on how to speak politely. "Ahem. The synthetic is the property of our esteened passengers." Suvar clarifies.

[The_Snark]

Saela

"Saela Kiyet," she replies as she takes the offered arm, a bit surprised at the old-fashioned courtesy. She feels out of place, like she ought to be wearing a ballroom gown instead of her well-worn mechanic's worksuit—although she would feel more out of place wearing any sort of fancy dress. Jane's attempted signals fly right past her, and she's caught off guard by Koriel's statement, though she tries to hide it when she realizes how odd that would look.

To cover it up, she asks, "How big is the colony? We hadn't heard about it until we stopped nearby."

[TwoBitWriter]

Ishrae gives another charming smile at Koriel and Suvar. "Of course, we would not wish to seperate our brethern from their rightful property." He motions with a free hand to Jane to join them.

After leaving the hangar, Ishrae answers Saela's question. "You are likely from the human Kowalski Station. We do a fair share of recruiting there. We are not a large colony, merely numbering five hundred Celar at the moment. We have to grow slowly, because the HCEC authority has deemed our visionary leader a criminal. But don't trouble yourselves with those concerns. Here you will find a proper place to belong."

Koriel, Saela, and Jane

Spoiler

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Ishrae takes you down a long hallway lined with glasteel windows that let you look out on the surface of the planet. In the distance you can see the rest of the colony, the living dome, the agricultural dome, and so on.
Eventually you reach a sliding door that simply has the word "Leader" emblazoned with bold white letters.
"This is where I take my leave, I have other duties to attend to. The Leader will speak with you, and find out your aptitudes. From there you will get your duty assignments and living quarters assignments. Good day."
And with that, the door slides open, and Ishare turns to leave. You enter the large, exquisitely decorated office. There is a large, muscular Mutate seated in a cushy chair behind a large, metal desk.
He has two large horns sprouting from his forward, which curl back slightly but end in sharp, menacing tips. His skin constantly shifts in color, but currently matchs the colors of the desk and chair he is sitting at. He is dressed in a gray jumpsuit, but you can't help but notice a slight bulge under his left arm, likely a pistol of some kind.
He stands, and beckons at two chairs before his desk, indicating that you sit. "I am pleased to see you. I am Halo Ortinez, the Leader and founder of New Prospect... And you are...?"

Meanwhile...

Suvar and Tex

Spoiler

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Mirm escorts the rest of the party to a simple room adorned with rows of cots. "Please forgive the acommodations, but we do not get visitors regularly. Please enjoy your stay. I will return with hot food and drink." With that, Mirm leaves.

Once the synthetic is gone, you notice that the room has several video monitoring devices. Its not a long leap for you to conclude that someone is also listening in to your conversations.

The door opens, but instead of Mirm, you see a young Mutate girl step in. She says nothing, looking fearfully up at the cameras. She rushes up to Tex, slips him a piece of paper, then quickly runs out of the room.

Tex

Spoiler

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The Paper only has one word on it, "Help!"

Mkanu

Spoiler

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You remain on the ship, and watch the rest of the crew split into two and leave the hangar. Saela,Koriel, and Jane leave with the Mutate man, and everyone else leaves with a Synthetic.
Some time passes uneventfully, but eventually you see the man that left with Saela, Koriel, and Jane return, with two Mutates who are carrying Laser Rifles. They walk toward your ship, the three-armed Mutate drawing a Plasma Pistol.

[jagadaishio]

Jane

Jane stands where it is, arms crossed behind its back and staring blandly above Calo's head. It is trying its best to play the part of the obedient servant robot. It makes a quick connection to its computer card and checks to see if it's picking up any unencrypted wireless networks now that they're deeper into the mutate area of the colony.

[SurlySeraph]

Mkanu

Mkanu mutters to himself. "Two men with him and he still feels he must show off his pistol. I am strong, but even a coward does not take such precautions unless..." After a moment of thought, Mkanu turns away from the view of the hanger bay and starts walking swiftly towards the cargo hold where his MATsuit is stored. The terrorists had been very friendly so far, and perhaps they just wanted to talk. But they were still armed terrorists, and he'd rather be prepared.

Spoiler

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If there's time to do so before they reach the ship, Mkanu will open all the doors between the entrance to the ship and where the MAT is stored, so he can run there in a hurry, and then come back (without his suit) to the entrance. If not, he'll just get as far towards his MATsuit as he can.

[TwoBitWriter]

Mkanu

Ishrae (the three-armed Mutate with the pistol) speaks to the two armed Mutates as they approach the main entry to the ship. They try to open the door initially, but find it is locked. Ishrae motions to the two men, pointing toward the cargo doors. He stays behind and begins fiddeling with the entryway controls, attempting to gain access.

You see the two Mutates approach the hangar as you reach your MATsuit.

[The_Snark]

Saela

"Saela Kiyet," she introduces for the second time. "This is Koriel. We're prospective settlers, here." She sits, trying to conceal her discomfort at the whole situation: the reverence Ishrae seemed to hold Ortinez in, the expectation (maybe requirement) that they would stay, the ornate decor (surely the cost of that could have been better spent, part of her harps).

She fidgets, and waits for him to start with... whatever this meeting is supposed to be for.

[SurlySeraph]

Mkanu

Mkanu watches the Mutates uneasily. After hesitating, he climbs into his MATsuit and prepares to power it up. If they were there to talk, he could think of an excuse for being in an armed powered suit when they got to him. If they weren't, he'd never regretted preparing before a fight before and he wouldn't regret it now.

Spoiler

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Listen check: (1d20)[16]

[TwoBitWriter]

Mkanu:

Spoiler

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Through the enhanced sensors of your MATsuit you can hear the conversation outside the ship.
"Search the vessel and take a log of its contents, its original owners won't have much need for it after we are done with them. The two Celar and their Synthetic won't be leaving this planet anytime soon either. If you find anyone aboard... kill them." Ishrae says to the two other terrorists.
The cargo bay doors slowly begin to open...

Saela, Jane, and Koriel:

Spoiler

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"A true pleasure to meet you. I like to interview all new colonists in order to get an idea of where their skills and talents lie... so that we can maximize their usefulness here at New Prospect..." He looks over the three of you. "We always have needs of synthetics, and we have none as advanced as your bio-replica here..."
He looks at Koriel, "You have the look of a soldier... that is good. We could use such talents, many of the so-called "great races" would have objections to our ambitions here..."
He turns to Saela. "And we always need females... particularly those as lovely as you. The survival and expansion of our people demand it. But hopefully you have other talents that can be put to use..."
He claps his hands. "Once you tell me where your skills and experiences lie, I will assign you to your quarters and you can begin work tomorrow. You will find not better home here. Indeed, you will find that you have no desire to ever leave..."

Tex and Suvar:

Spoiler

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Please make a Spot check, along with any other actions you wish to take while you are in the room.

Jane:

Spoiler

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You are able to pick up on a data node, which you can use to remotely access any system on this station.
(Please indicate what you wish to search for, along with an accompanying Computer Use check. I will allow you the time to search for three different items/systems/data.)

[Sicarius]

Spoiler

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Spot: (1d20)[11]

If Tex isn't going to read that piece of paper, Suvar is.

EDIT: Afterwards, Suvar cumbles the tiny paper up and eats it. stating to Tex, "Fiber is an important part of your diet." He then stands up and yawns, stretching his arms all the way over his head. "I'm gonna go stretch my legs. Being cooped up on that tin can is making my legs atrophy."