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"Star Trek: the U.S.S. Sacagawea" Episode 4

Finding the pirate cove

“Steel Vengeance/Venganza de Acero” Bienvenidos. In the early 1800s, the town of Angelita on the California/Mexico border faced many perils, as masked heroes arose to defend the campesinos…. (Telenovela based on the stories of Francisco Quintero.)

Roderigo Cabrero Nunez, a prosperous local merchant, invites notable residents from across Angelita to his hacienda for a fiesta.

Dramatis personae (all are human, but extraterrestrials merely need costumes in holodeck):

“Maria-Joaquina Garcia-Barrientos” [Jason E.R./“Olivia”]: a widowed coloratura soprano from Valencia, retired

“Miguel Lopez-Moreno/El Corsario” [Jim D./“Sheras”]: gentleman duellist and masked vigilante

“Capt. Ramon LaCasa” [Bruce K./“Dakal”]: local sheriff

“Yiska” [Dexter V.H./“Salek”]: proud Navajo guide

“La Fantasma” [Cathey D./“Huli”]: female bounty hunter dressed in white (absent)

Retired singer Maria arrives in a cart adorned with fresh roses, looking to meet society after recently arriving from Valencia, Spain.

Gentleman Miguel arrives in a carriage, looking for Calevaras (“the Skulls,” villains who wear Dia de Muertos/Day of the Dead costumes).

Capt. LaCasa gets a ride to the manor with someone from town, while Yiska is hired as an armed guide.

Senor Cabrero Nunez introduces Seniorita Garcia-Barrientos to Padre Arturo Mendoza, the handsome pastor at the church of San Ebonio de Flores.

The cantata (singer) is acclaimed by hidalgas and meets Marqueta Rey Delgado, the wife of a government inspector, and Vanessa Cruz Suarez, a sensitive artist.

Capt. LaCasa asks Roderigo who is protecting the guests, and he assures the local officer that he has hired guards. Yiska declines an offer to serve as a waiter and eyes fellow hireling Leon Ortega Garcia.

Lopez-Moreno stays in the shade and tries to comprehend local culture and cuisine, while Yiska notes that Ortega Garcia seems familiar with Senora Rey Delgado. The indigenous scout also hears gunfire as people leave the fiesta.

Maria-Joaquina stays behind, as Ramon, Yiska, and Miguel ride to rescue the townsfolk from three highwaymen. The banditos exchange fire with the would-be heroes.

Ramon shoots one, and Miguel is winged. Yiska falls off his horse but catches up in time to drive off the remaining bandits. Roderigo Cabrero Nunez and the relieved villagers thank the trio as the holodeck simulation ends (for now)….

Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Sacagawea. Our ongoing mission is to test the boundaries of science, understand and protect life in its infinite diversity, and boldly restore the United Federation of Planets….

Player Characters aboard the U.S.S. Sacagawea in Gene D.’s third “Star Trek: Restoration” online scenario, using Fantastic Adventures in Tabletop Entertainment (FATE), Skype, Rolz.org, and Google Drawings, as of summer 2020:

“Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Sheras Ch’p’trell” [Jim J.D.]: male Andorian, assertive medical officer who trained in the Andorian Military Academy

“Lt.(J.G.) Huli” [Cathey D.]: female Benzite, meticulous scientist who distrusts Romulans and is homesick

“Lt.(J.G.) Olivia Sánchez-Navarro” [Jason E.R.]: female Terran human, curious security officer and champion sharpshooter

“Lt.(J.G.) Dakal Nakona” [Bruce K.]: male Romulan (Republic), ambitious helmsman eager to work up to command

“Lt.(J.G.) Salek” [Dexter V.H.]: male Vulcan, engineer, onetime Daystrom Award winner, and martial artist

Previously, the U.S.S. Sacagawea ventured into the Alpha Quadrant to explore and secure the edge of the U.F.P. It visited medical outpost Nasiri Station, and junior officers aided Cardassians allegedly injured in a “mining accident.”

The starship entered “the Badlands,” an area of space with nebulae, in search of raiders attacking passing vessels. Its intrepid crew defeated the Sword of the Prophets, drove off its two escort ships, and began interrogating its crew (Episode 3)….

Stardate 89357.2 (“10 May 2412 A.D./C.E.”/29 August 2020): After interrogating the Bajoran and Nausicaan crew of the Sword of the Prophets, which was equipped with a dangerous Subspace Rift Generator, the crew of the Sacagawea decides to take the captured ship deeper into the Badlands in search of secret bases.

Capt. Nasir Halaby assigns an away team to infiltrate the space pirates. Tactical officer Cmdr. Ressaunch assigns 10 security officers under the command of Lt. Sánchez-Navarro and Lt. Nakona. They will watch the Nausicaan mercenaries.

Chief engineer Cmdr. Zendia Lendavi orders Lt. Salek to be on the lookout for other exotic weapons and assigns five Starfleet engineers. Science officer Cmdr. Chandra Ramamurthy asks Lt. Huli to continue gathering data on energy fluctuations in the Badlands.

The team prepares aliases and communicator earpieces. Sheras takes on the name of “Ghalav,” a hero of Andorian literature. Olivia dons a utilitarian jumpsuit as weapons officer “Maria,” while Dakal wears camouflage pants and a black leather vest as pilot “Takar Serrano.” Salek dresses as Romulan information broker “Vremeer.”

Between Maria and Takar’s reconstruction of the ship’s logs and Lt. Huli’s scans, the Sword of the Prophets is able to find Cloud Atoll, a hidden asteroid base.

Huli and the Nausicaans stay on ship, as well as the engineers and eight of the security personnel. At the airlock, the visitors are greeted by Megiben, a male Denobulan.

Maria and Ghalav learn that Mibyc Doret and Jett Katan, the former Bajoran commanders of the Sword of the Prophets, had not only acquired the Subspace Rift Generator at an auction, but the captains of other ships in port owed them money.

They visit the Mad Howler and speak with Capt. Danae, a Caitian with an eyepatch. Rather than part with cash before the next auction, the fierce feline tells them that the Broken Tusk used a Matter Inverter to destroy a rival ship near Anchor Port.

The infiltrators also learn that the the Crusty Worm is expected in port for the next weapons auction. Its captain is a Deferi named Stagnez.

Takar and Vremeer see the Broken Tusk, which is guarded by a mysterious armored Tholian. The vessel is said to be captained by the Savage Crown, who has a reputation for meanness but whose species is unknown to Starfleet.

The two “Romulans” also meet Sanara Velan, another Romulan, who tells them that the starting bid is 5,000 bars of gold-pressed latinum. She then goes to talk with some reptilian Gorn guards.

Vremeer and Takar then meet Levalin Hosh, a female Vorta and the auctioneer. After seeing members of several traditional enemies of the U.F.P., the away team covertly regroups….

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SEP/2020

"Star Trek: the U.S.S. Sacagawea" Episode 2

Into the Badlands

Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Sacagawea. Our ongoing mission is to test the boundaries of science, understand and protect life in its infinite diversity, and boldly restore the United Federation of Planets….

“Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Sheras Ch’p’trell” [Jim J.D.]: male Andorian, assertive medical officer who trained in the Andorian Military Academy

“Lt.(J.G.) Huli” [Cathey D.]: female Benzite, meticulous scientist who distrusts Romulans and is homesick

“Lt.(J.G.) Olivia Sánchez-Navarro” [Jason E.R.]: female Terran human, curious security officer and champion sharpshooter

“Lt.(J.G.) Dakal Nakona” [Bruce K.]: male Romulan (Republic), ambitious helmsman eager to work up to command

“Lt.(J.G.) Salek” [Dexter V.H.]: male Vulcan, engineer, onetime Daystrom Award winner, and martial artist

Stardate 89345.27 (“6 May 2412 A.D./C.E.”/13 June 2020): The U.S.S. Sacagawea had previously traveled from Starbase 621 to Nasiri Station, a medical outpost on the frontier of the United Federation of Planets.

On the way, several junior officers got to know one another as Lt. Sheras Ch’p’trell sparred with Lt. Dakal Nakona. They were briefed by senior officers aboard the Starfleet starship, which observed a Cardassian vessel also approaching Nasiri Station.

The away team reported to Cmdr. Gareth Percy and later tended to Cardassian crew members injured during a mysterious “mining accident.”

Sometime later, Lt. Ch’p’trell continues his research into the Cardassans’ iinjuries, while Lt. Huli conducts mineral and toxicology research. They discuss the possibility of new life forms, as well as the apparent fear among the typically fierce Cardassians.

Lt. Olivia Sánchez-Navarro and Lt. Nakona review astrogation records of “the Badlands,” a region said to be plagued by pirates. Dakal also proposes a weekly poker game in the lounge, which is staffed by holographic barkeep Burney Crabtree.

Lt. Salek drills the engineering team until Cmdr. Lendavi notes, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”

Cmdr. Ramamurthy asks whether the Sacagawea should set course for Dephra Prime, but Lt. Nakona and Lt. Sánchez-Navarro note that it would be a two-week detour to the Badlands.

Salek notes a fluctuation in the warp field and notifies the bridge. Olivia detects three cloaked ships. Huli uses the cruiser’s sensors to identify Bajoran and Nausicaan life signs.

The three vessels fire upon the Sacagawea, which returns fire as tactical officer Olivia disables an exotic power source. At helm, Dakal maneuvers the Starfleet ship to avoid being surrounded.

Dr. Ch’p’trell cites Andorian policy on pirates and offers to help with the interrogation. Scientist Huli is concerned about her samples and plans to speak with First Officer Ramamurthy.

Engineer Salek determines that the device aboard the lead pirate ship not only to emit graviton waves and fool sensors, but also to alter subspace. Huli dubs it a “Subspace Rift Generator” and asks for permission to board the disabled craft.

Lt. Sánchez-Navarro beams the pirates to the Sacagawea, but three Nausicaans inadvertently arrive on its bridge!

One of the mercenaries fires at Capt. Nasir Halaby, but Lt. Nakona jumps in the way and takes the hit. The others fire at Huli, Olivia, and Lt.Cmdr. Stanik.

Olivia shoots one and knocks down another. Dakal fires from the floor and hits the third. Huli injects one Nausicaan with a paralytic hypospray to no avail, but the quick-thinking Benzite slaps a comm badge on him and has him beamed to the brig.

An away team boards the Sword of the Prophets, and an ensign engineer sees a self-destruction countdown. Lt. Salek disables it.

Salek also recognizes that the Subspace Rift Generator uses the dangerous and exotic substance known as “red matter.” Olivia recommends hiding the Bajoran/Nausicaan pirate ship with an improved cloaking device.

Lt. Ch’p’trell and Lt. Huli lead the interrogation of Bajoran commanders Jatt Katan and Mibyc Doret. The man and woman claim that they are continuing the tradition of the Maquis, who felt abandoned by Federation peace treaties with the Cardassan Union decades ago.

Olivia and Dakal wait outside, as the Starfleet scientists try to explain that the technology the raiders used is very dangerous….

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AUG/2020

FATE "Star Trek: the U.S.S. Sacagawea" Episode 1

Arrival at Nasiri Station

“Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Sheras Ch’p’trell” [Jim J.D.]: male Andorian, assertive medical officer who trained in the Andorian Military Academy

“Lt.(J.G.) Huli” [Cathey D.]: female Benzite, meticulous scientist who distrusts Romulans and is homesick

“Lt.(J.G.) Olivia Sánchez-Navarro” [Jason E.R.]: female Terran human, curious security officer and champion sharpshooter

“Lt.(J.G.) Dakal Nakona” [Bruce K.]: male Romulan (Republic), ambitious helmsman eager to work up to command

“Lt.(J.G.) Salek” [Dexter V.H.]: male Vulcan, engineer, onetime Daystrom Award winner, and martial artist

Stardate 889332.7 (“1 May 2412 A.D./C.E.”/2 May 2020): The U.S.S. Sacagawea, NCC 598-B, a Curiosity-class heavy cruiser, is tasked with exploring the Alpha Quadrant, restoring contact with lost Federation colonies, and learning about worlds between rival interstellar states (about a decade after the events of Picard).

On the way from Starbase 621 to “the Badlands,” the Sacagawea passes between the Tzenkethi Coalition and Cardassian space. Some junior officers take the time to get to know one another better.

Lt. Sheras Ch’p’trell spars with Lt. Salek in a martial arts match. Lt. Huli is surprised at the Andorian’s apparent anger and the Vulcan’s cool condescension, while Lt. Olivia Sánchez-Navarro assesses their technique. Lt. Dakal Nakona is amused at the two traditional enemies of the Romulans.

Sheras gets in some good blows, and Salek counters with a nerve strike. The combatants and spectators are disappointed when they are interrupted by a summons from their commanding officers.

Cmdr. Chandra Ramamurthy, first officer and astrophysicist, quizzes the crew on the ship’s specifications. Cmdr. Ressunch, the Tellarite chief security officer, tells the junior officers to be prepared for trouble as they approach Nasiri Station, a medical facility near the Badlands.

Lt. Ch’p’tress cleans up and reports to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nadia Valencia in sickbay. Rattled by the Salek’s comments while sparring, Lt. Huli goes to the hydroponics bay to check on vegetables and toxin research.

Lt. Sánchez-Navarro apologizes to Lt. Nakona for egging him on during the truncated match and goes target shooting in a holodeck. Dakal accepts her apology and reports to Saurian Lt. Cmdr. Stanik about rehearsing docking procedures in simulation.

Meanwhile, Lt. Salek showers and reports to Cmdr. Zendia Lendavi, Bajoran chief engineer of the starship. During a shift on the bridge, Lt. Huli detects a Cardassian ship also heading to Nasiri Station.

Capt. Nasir Halaby orders the lieutenants to form an away team as the Sacagawea arrives at Nasiri Station. They are greeted by En. Slam, an eager young Ferengi, who then hastens to welcome Gul Mazurk, a gruff Cardassian accompanied by four guards.

Lt. Salek goes to the station’s engineering section, where he is horrified to find En. Jisrul Tam, a Trill troubleshooter, improvising station maintenance.

Lt. Huli goes to the command and control center, where she finds Cmdr. Gareth Percy putting a golf ball. Cmdr. Shoran Grodin, a Bolian administrator, recommends that the Sacagawea take doctors Frank Gabriel and Keith Bowie to the Bajoran colony on Kavaria.

Sánchez-Navarro and Nakona follow the Cardassians, who barge into Cmdr. Percy’s office and demand medical assistance. Percy and Capt. Halaby grant Huli’s request to render aid, and Olivia and Dakal fall in as “nurses” to observe. Salek brings Tam.

The wary Cardassians escort the Starfleet personnel through their residential deck and past science labs.

In the sickbay of the Galor-class cruiser, they find three crew members pierced with strange rocks. Gul Mazurk claims they were injured in a mining accident in the Lamemda system.

Lt. Huli and Lt. Ch’p’tress try to determine how to treat the penetrating wounds by examining the dead. Lt. Nakona and En. Tam narrow the scans as the guards watch.

Lt. Salek attempts to make telepathic contact with the injured. The Vulcan gets a glimpse of stones shooting out of tunnel walls. Lt. Sánchez-Navarro surreptitiously scans the Cardassians’ logs and learns that their ship was not where Mazurk claimed it had been.

Sheras and Huli manage to figure out a way to extract the projectiles without causing further wounds. Mazurk grudgingly gives thanks and has the Federation personnel escorted off his ship.

The away team tells the command crew of the Sacagawea of its initial findings on Nasiri Station and aboard the Cardassian ship. Lt. Ch’p’trell notes that the Cardassians did ask for aid from their onetime foes against the mysterious weapons.

Lt. Huli is relieved that her team came together and is curious about life in the Badlands. The Benzite mentions Cmdr. Percy’s request to transport two doctors to a Bajoran colony.

Lt. Sánchez-Navarro recommends looking for pirates rumored to be raiding in the sector, and Lt. Nakona and Lt. Salek agree that scouting could help answer multiple questions. Capt. Halaby says he will consider their reports….

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JUN/2020

FATE "Star Trek: the U.S.S. Sacagawea" timeline

Updated continuity for the game so far

Timeline:

Late 20th to early 21st centuries: Terran nation-states fight “brushfire wars” by proxy; early eugenics and robotics efforts end in disaster; humanity nearly self-destructs.

2063: Zephram Cochrane’s faster-than-light experiments lead to open and official First Contact with Vulcans (First Contact, 1996).

22nd century: Terrans unite and rebuild, begin colonizing Mars.

2151 to 2155: Capt. Jonathan Archer helps found the United Federation of Planets (Enterprise, 2001 to 2005).

2156 to 2160: First Earth-Romulan War; Neutral Zone established.

2233 to 2259: One alternate universe splits off (Kelvin timeline: 2009 Star Trek, 2013 Into Darkness, 2016 Beyond).

2245 to 2265: The Constitution-class cruiser U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC 1701, under the command of Capt. Robert April and Capt. Christopher Pike (Discovery, 2018 to 2020, Strange New Worlds, 2021).

2266 to 2269: The first voyages of the Enterprise under Capt. James T. Kirk in the Alpha and Beta quadrants (original Star Trek television series, 1966 to 1969). The U.S.S. Rustam goes on missions.

2269 to 2270: The remainder of the Enterprise ’s first five-year mission (The Animated Series, 1973 to 1974); journeys of the U.S.S. Eagle, NCC 956 (SUNY-Binghamton, 1988) and Constitution (Virginia, 1993).

2273: The V’ger incident (The Motion Picture, 1979).

2285 to 2286: The command crew of the refitted Enterprise defeats Khan Noonien Singh and Klingons and goes rogue but saves Earth (The Wrath of Khan, Search for Spock, Voyage Home, 1982 to 1986).

2287 to 2293: The NCC 1701-A is retired after several successful missions (The Final Frontier, Undiscovered Country, Generations, 1989 to 1994).

2344: The Ambassador-class NCC 1701-C, under Capt. Rachael Garrett, is destroyed, leading to renewed peace talks with the Klingons (TNG “Yesterday’s Enterprise”).

2355 to 2359: First Federation-Cardassian War. Ferengi traders challenge the Federation, as Jean-Luc Picard takes command of the U.S.S. Stargazer.

2364 to 2370: The Galaxy-class U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC 1701-D, conducts diplomacy under Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (The Next Generation, 1987 to 1994). The U.S.S. Venture thwarts Orion pirates and rescues personnel at Xerxes Station (2d20 Star Trek Adventures, Boston, 2017)

2367: The Borg destroy much of Starfleet at the Battle of Wolf 359.

2369 to 2375: The Federation first explores the Gamma Quadrant and is involved in the Klingon Civil War and the Dominion War (Deep Space Nine, 1993 to 1999).

2371 to 2379: The Sovereign class NCC 1701-E fights the Borg and Remans, among others (Generations, First Contact, Insurrection, Nemesis, 1994 to 2002); the Voyager is stranded in the Delta Quadrant (1995 to 2001); first five-year mission of the Excelsior class U.S.S. Tempest, NCC 2094-B, under “Capt. Tzu Tien Lung” (Virginia, 1994 to 1997).

2380 to 2409: The Alpha and Beta quadrants attempt to rebuild after several core worlds are badly damaged and interstellar states fragment (Picard, 2020; Titan novels and various fan films).

2409 to 2417: Starfleet resumes expansion after another war with the Klingons and Orions, as well as Undine incursions (Star Trek Online MMO, 2010 to present).

1 May 2412 A.D./C.E. (Stardate 889332.7): The Curiosity-class U.S.S. Sacagawea begins exploring the Alpha Quadrant (FATE “Star Trek: Restoration” telecom crew, 2020).

2418 (Stardate 95248): The refitted Ambassador class U.S.S. Rotha, NCC 1993-C, begins its first five-year mission of defense, exploration, and diplomacy (Boston D20/FATE scenarios, 2014).

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MAY/2020

D20 "Vortex: Exodus" Update 6.1

Rescue at Beta Canum Venaticorum

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 6.1 of " Vortex: Exodus," which was held on Thursday, 23 March 2017:

In one future, Terran humanity and its creations had colonized the Sol system but still struggled with environmental degradation and internecine conflict. Open and official First Contact with extraterrestrials brought new allies and challenges. The Zarkonian Invasion killed billions, leaving rag-tag fleets of refugees to roam the galaxy, as explorers search for safe worlds….

Player Characters for Gene D.’s D20/D&D5e " Vortex: Exodus" telecom space opera, spring 2017:

“James Verian/the Wayfinder” [Dexter V.H.]: male Terran human scout and Ecomancer (Explorer/Mystic), with an “Uplifted” tiger
“Sprocket” [Beruk A.]: male Martian cyborg Technomancer and engineer (“near-human” Mystic/Trader)
“Xena” [Sara F.]: female “Uplifted” velociraptor archaeologist and medic (Explorer) from Henson IV/“Boobulon”
“Tom Hicks” [Bruce K.]: male Terran human space navy officer and pilot (Trader/Warrior)
“John ‘Mundungus’ Smith” [Byron V.O./absent ]: male human stowaway, scrounger, and lethal survivor (Trader)

“1 April 2197 A.D./C.E. or 2 Terran Galactic Era:” Zurmiz Krott, advance forces of the dreaded Zarkonian Armada, attack the Beta Canum Venaticorum system, about 8 parsecs from occupied Earth. A new team is sent to evacuate the science station on Henson, a habitable planet orbiting the stars Chara and Asterion.

Martian cyborg “Sprocket” arrives at the station and finds the civilians in a panic. The onetime anti-megacorp hacker and consultant to the Union of Solar Nations space navy checks sensors. As an orbital battle rages, the Zarkonians are closing in on the ground.

Meanwhile, an “Uplifted” velociraptor finds herself in a locked cell as panicked scientists hastily gather their belongings. Henson, also nicknamed “Hefner” or “Boobulon,” is home to descendants of ancient Terran species that were relocated by long-forgotten aliens. Some humans had experimented on these creatures, including “Xena.”

Outside, a Terran Ecomancer hikes through the jungle to assist scattered civilians. “Wayfinder” realizes that the landing zone is back toward the base, so he and his genetically engineered tiger gather some colonists and direct them.

Overhead, a squad of armored space marines jumps out of a drop ship. Terran pilot Thomas Hicks grabs a bystander for directions and orders the troops to spread out to protect the station.

Sprocket sends data to the marines, but the Zurmiz Krott then jam further transmissions. He detects swarms of nanites, or tiny robots, that that the biomechanical monsters have emitted. The quick-thinking Technomancer disables them with an electromagnetic pulse, but he burns out the station’s systems in the process.

Although she is behind transparisteel doors, Xena makes her escape by cutting through the adjacent wall with her claws and hotwiring them. The dinosaur also frees three other test subjects: an “Uplifted” squid named George, an “Uplifted” chimpanzee named Nigel, and a partially disassembled android called 6O97, or “Sonny.” The departing scientists don’t try to stop them.

Wayfinder, who lost his family in the Zarkonian Invasion of Earth, tries to calm the evacuees. However, his tiger senses something coming, and soon all can hear something crashing through the trees.

A triceratops with a mass of nanites clinging to its frill charges! Wayfinder drops his vibrospear and fires his rifle, briefly slowing the possessed beast. James Verian also extends a Mind Shield to protect the civilians from the Zarkonian probes.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, the space marines lay down suppressing fire with bursts from their slugthrowers. One of the Zurmiz Krott shifts into a spiked black ball and rolls toward them, and Hicks steps forward to meet it.

The Zarkonian attacker dodges a grenade and extends a spear-like projection at Hicks, but his armor absorbs most of the damage. Other troops aren’t so lucky.

The navy consultant recalls seeing enemies approaching an undefended area of the station, so he runs to plant explosive charges behind the evacuation. On the way, he is surprised to run into Xena, George (in a bucket), Nigel, and Sonny. Surprisingly, the “Synths” agree to help him….

A few years have passed since the rediscovery of mystical powers, First Contact, and the crews of the Blackbird and Pina Colada first wandered the Sol system. About a year [of “game time”] has passed since the voyages of the “Terra’s Pride” task force and the arrival of the Zarkonian Armada….

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MAR/2017

"Star Trek: Restoration" Episode 7

Ghost ship and hollow sphere

Fellow role-players, here is my update for our latest “Star Trek: Restoration” session, which Brian S. hosted in Burlington, Mass., on Monday, 23 May 2016:

“Space, the final frontier. Our starship’s mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life forms and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Almost half a century after the voyages of the Enterprise-E, the United Federation of Planets and other interstellar states are slowly recovering from wars and ecological disasters. A new crew takes a refitted vessel to conduct diplomacy, defend life, and explore the galaxy….

Player Characters for Gene D.’s " Star Trek: Restoration" space opera scenario, using D20 Prime Directive, FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures, and Bulldogs:

“Lieutenant Kyerak” [Bruce K.]-male human/Vulcan hybrid with a temper, ambitious junior officer in the U.S.S. Rotha ’s command division

“Lt. Jarric Jameson” [Dexter V.H./Brian S.]-male genetically modified human colonist (Maquis descendant) and commando

“Lt. Orzzek Kalifa” [Byron V.O.]-male Andorian (blue-skinned humanoid with white hair and antennae), assertive science officer

“Chief Ravi Chandler” [Brian W.]-male Altairian human, non-commissioned officer and transporter expert aboard the Rotha

Mr. Vallcin" [Jason E.R.]-male Bolian (blue-skinned, bilaterally symmetrical humanoid), bartender of the “Starlight Lounge”

“DaiMon Froot” [Rich C.G.]-male Ferengi (short, large-eared extraterrestrial) merchant and negotiator, owner of the trade vessel Love’s Latinum Lost

“Kimbal Tegan” [Beruk A.]-male Trill (long-lived symbiont), ex-Starfleet operations specialist aboard the Love’s Latinum Lost

“Tau” [Drew S.]-male Ferengi, medic aboard the Love’s Latinum Lost

“Lt. Mari Killu” [Sara F./absent ]-female Caitian (felinoid) security/tactical officer on the Rotha

“Lt. Boran’ Gorir” [Josh C./absent ]-male Jem’Hadar (bioengineered Dominion soldier), aggressive envoy/engineer

Previously, junior officers aboard the U.S.S. Rotha, NCC 1993-C, stopped assassins from disrupting a diplomatic mission and faced off with Klingons, Romulans, and Ferengi in the Neutral Zone.

They also worked with the Love’s Latinum Lost to stop interference with the Aldebaran system, finding spies and averting a civil war in the former Federation colony.

“Stardate 95306.40 (23 April 2418):” In the Betraka Nebula, an away team from the Rotha and Love’s Latinum Lost explored a derelict starship. The U.S.S. Essex, NCC-173, was presumed lost with all hands more than 250 (Terran) years ago many parsecs away.

Lt. Kyerak reviews the last log entry on the bridge of the Daedalus-class Federation starship. “They’ve gotten under our skin. We’re spacing the dead. Remember us,” said Atina Xdaar, an Andorian and acting commander of the Essex.

Lt. Jameson downloads what he can from the ship’s computer core before being forced to stop by a virus. Mr. Tegan relays communications from main engineering, where he attempts to restore power. Security officer En. Scalzi stands by.

On the Rotha, Chief Chandler is unable to maintain a transporter lock on the away team because of power fluctuations. Capt. Andelina Nobatu orders him and Lt. Orzzek to take a shuttlecraft over. Ravi requests Mr. Vallcin because of his immunities.

DaiMon Froot and Tau notice the flickering lights on the Rotha and Essex and raise the Love’s Latinum Lost ’s shields. They also see an unidentified dodecahedral craft docking with the Essex.

Lt. Orzzek, Chief Chandler, and Mr. Vallcin race from the Essex ’s landing bay to join the away team amidships. Mr. Tegan stays in engineering to deal with the mysterious power drain.

Jarric draws his phaser pistol but holds as two robots emerge from the airlock. Cutter and Roller seem surprised to find anyone alive so long after they collected a few previous survivors.

Orzzek and Ravi scan the androids with tricorders, but they don’t match any known design. Kyerak asks the robots where they come from and what happened to the crew of the Essex.

Cutter and Roller say that they come from a larger ship and that the nebula’s electromagnetic properties “were incompatible” with the Federation vessel.

Kimball crawls into a Jeffries tube to manually override the airlock. Vallcin notices the scent of machine oil, confirming that the robots had previously visited the Essex.

Over on the Love’s Latinum Lost, Ferengi Froot and Tau try to communicate with Capt. Nobatu as the Rotha loses power. They also see a larger 12-sided ship come out of warp.

Cutter and Roller explain to Andorian Orzzek and Altarian Ravi that they are members of the lowest caste, with “Light Bearers” and “Sphere Shapers” above them.

However, half-Vulcan Kyerak and human Jarric cut the conversation short, believing that the robots are direct threats to the Federation ships.

Bolian Vallcin tries to defuse tensions by demonstrating how two drinks taste terrible until mixed. Trill Kimball manages to restore functions on the Essex for a second time.

Kyerak and Jarric open fire on Cutter and Roller, forcing them back to their pod. Ravi beams Orzzek over to the Rotha to explain to chief engineer Lt.Cmdr. Akira Gorou how to recalibrate the power relays.

Froot orders the crew of his trade vessel to extend shields around the disabled Rotha. Tau, who is a doctor, not an ops officer, tries to activate a tractor beam and phasers but ends up firing in the direction of the Starfleet ship.

Lt. Jameson, Chief Chandler, and En. Scalzi begin feeling itchy and fear that they are infected by whatever killed most of the Essex ‘s crew. Fortunately, Tau teleports over to treat the interaction between the machine men’s emissions and the local electromagnetic fields.

Capt. Nobatu says that the Rotha isn’t ready to follow the robot ship, so Mr. Vallcin pilots the shuttle, bringing the away team to the Love’s Latinum Lost.

The Ferengi ship follows the larger dodecahedron to its homeworld, which turns out to be a hollow Bernal sphere. The team (with the exception of Froot) disembarks and meets two Sphere Shapers, Prudence and Thrift.

The robots explain that the survivors of the Essex whom they rescued “were too damaged,” so they enclosed their functioning organs in mechanical bodies.

Foresight and Smasher reassure the visitors that they are well, even if they find robot society a bit constraining. Kyerak gives them some of the items retrieved from the Essex, and Vallcin offers a toast to missing friends.

Orzzek notices that the Bernal sphere is built around a stable transwarp conduit, similar to the wormhole near Deep Space Nine. Ravi and Tau are satisfied that the robots are different from the Borg and not a threat, although Kimball and Jarric remain wary.

The Starfleet personnel and their Ferengi and Trill allies part with the robots on good terms and return to the Rotha.

Ambitious Lt. Kyerak reports to Capt. Nobatu on the away team’s findings on the Essex and the machine world.

Lt. Kalifa tells Trill first officer Cmdr. Nasami Wahid that Lt. Kyerak and Lt. Jameson fired on the robots in self-defense. He also notes the strategic importance of the transwarp conduit.

DaiMon Froot tells Tau and Kimball that he remains skeptical about the U.F.P.’s ideals.

Chief Chandler still plans to request a transfer to a less-dangerous post, but Mr. Vallcin has had a taste of field missions.

Capt. Nobatu orders the Rotha to set course for home….

View

MAY/2016

"Star Trek: Restoration" Episode 6

Into the Betreka Nebula

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for our latest “Star Trek” telecom game on Sunday, 23 August 2015:

“Space, the final frontier. Our starship’s mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life forms and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Almost four decades after the Enterprise E fought the Borg and Remans [ Nemesis ], among others, the United Federation of Planets and other interstellar states in the Alpha Quadrant are slowly recovering from wars and ecological disasters. A refitted vessel takes a new crew on its first missions of defense, diplomacy, and exploration….

Player Characters for Gene D.’s " Star Trek: Restoration" space opera scenario, using D20 Prime Directive, FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures, Bulldogs, and Mindjammer 2e, plus Starships and Spacemen 2e, house rules, Obsidian Portal, Skype, and the Rolz.org online dice roller, as of summer 2015:

“Lieutenant Kyerak” [Bruce K.]-male half-Vulcan with ambition and a temper, in the U.S.S. Rotha ’s command division

“Lt. Jarric Jameson” [Dexter V.H.]-male genetically modified human colonist (former Maquis) and commando

“Lt. Orzzek Kalifa” [Byron V.O.]-male Andorian (blue-skinned humanoid with white hair and antennae), assertive science officer

“Lt. Mari Killu” [Sara F.]-female Caitian (felinoid) security/tactical officer

“Lt. Boran’ Gorir” [Josh C.]-male Jem’Hadar (Dominion soldier), aggressive envoy/engineer

“Chief Ravi Chandler” [Brian W.]-male Altairian human, non-commissioned officer and transporter expert aboard the Rotha

“Froot” [Rich C.G.]-male Ferengi (short, large-eared extraterrestrial) merchant and negotiator, DaiMon and owner of the trade vessel Love’s Latinum Lost

“Kimbal Tegan” [Beruk A.]-male Trill (long-lived symbiont), operations specialist aboard the Love’s Latinum Lost

“Tau” [Drew S.]-male Ferengi, medic aboard the Love’s Latinum Lost

Previously, in “Star Trek: Restoration,” the U.S.S. Rotha faced off against hostile starships in the Neutral Zone and covertly investigated interference in a former Federation member world.

“Stardate 95306.39 (22 April 2418):” The U.S.S. Rotha and the Love’s Latinum Lost leave the Aldebaran system. Capt. Andelina Nobatu orders helmsman En. Brandon Marks to set course for Psi Ursae Majoris because an unidentified subspace signal originates from that area.

Lieut. K’dex points out that the Betreka Nebula is on the way. Not only is it similar to the hazardous Badlands, but it’s also between Federation, Klingon, and Cardassian territory, points out the Edosian science officer.

Capt. Nobatu agrees with Cmdr. Nasami Wahid’s recommendation that the crew go to yellow alert for the duration of skirting the nebula, and the Trill first officer relays her order to Security Chief Pierre McDonnough.

DaiMon Froot requests permission to accompany the Rotha, and Capt. Nobatu reluctantly orders engineer Lt.Cmdr. Akira Gorou to extend the starship’s warp field to enclose the Love’s Latinum Lost.

Lt. Kyerak asks Capt. Nobatu permission to observe her command style so that he may learn from it. The Terran human gives her consent for him to stay on the bridge, as long as the half-Vulcan is able to fulfill his regular duties.

Lt. Jarric Jameson goes to ask Mr. Kyerak a question, but when he sees the officer with the captain, the human colonist turns on his heel and goes the other way down the corridor. Jarric then bumps into a half-Klingon and a Trill.

After listening to Ferengi crewmates Froot and Tau talk about oo-mox (earlobe massages), Kimbal Tegan requests permission to leave the Love’s Latinum Lost for the Rotha. The Trill pilot seeks out Cmdr. Wahid, with whom he has a shared history.

Lt. Orzzek Kalifa conducts research on the Betreka Nebula. The Andorian science officer learns that the nearest charted worlds are the Nuburon colony; Tammeron, known for smuggling biotech; and the former slavers of Skagaran. The nearest U.F.P. members are Risa and Betazed.

Lt. Jameson asks his superior, Lt. Artemis Borellis, for permission to study advanced tactics and munitions in addition to his existing survival skills. The Betazed counselor approves.

Sometime later, the Rotha’s junior officers compare notes in the “Starlight Lounge,” as Bolian bartender Mr. Vallcin provides food and drink. Kimbal notes that the area is rife with smugglers and bandits and recalls a Bajoran prophecy of a wanderer finding paradise.

Back on the Ambassador class starship’s bridge, Lt. Kalifa scans the nebula and finds a protostar emitting charged particles but no warp signatures. Lt. Kyerak takes a shift at the helm, while Mr. Tegan reaches out psionically.

The Rotha detects a Starfleet hull in the nebula. It is the U.S.S. Essex NCC-173, a Daedalus class ship believed lost with all hands more than 250 years before many parsecs away near the Mab-Bu IV.

Mr. Kyerak searches Starfleet records for the Essex crew and learns of Capt. Bryce Shumar, Cmdr. Steven Mullen, and Lt. Morgan Kelly. Orzzek finds that the derelict vessel has lost pressurization and that its warp core has been dumped.

Jarrick checks with Dr. Jones, the holographic chief medical officer, for supplies such as vacc suits for a potential survey of the Essex.

Kimball informs his Ferengi friends of an opportunity for salvage, and Capt. Nobatu approves an away mission. She assigns security officer En. Scalzi to join Lt. Kyerak, Lt. Jameson, Lt. Kalifa, and Mr. Tegan.

Lt. Jameson pilots a shuttle to the Essex. The away team makes its way aft, toward life support. The five explorers hope to restart the antique fusion reactors for sublight power and life support.

Lt. Kyerak then makes his way to the command center, but he finds bridge controls nonresponsive. Lt. Kalifa examines the main computer core and finds corrupted code.

Mr. Tegan and En. Scalzi keep in contact with Lt. Jameson and check sickbay. They report that it has been strangely stripped of medical equipment and move on to main engineering.

Kyerak searches the officers’ quarters and finds that the archives have been wiped. He does find old uniforms and a notebook of Atina Xdar, an Andorian who was the starship’s acting captain when it was disabled centuries ago.

Orzzek observes that the corrupted code in the ship’s computer tries to jump to his tricorder, and he recommends tech quarantine procedures. As Kimball and En. Scalzi search for a ship’s library, Jarric calls them back to the shuttle. He says that he has been unable to raise the Rotha, which is apparently suffering from power fluctuations.

The away team undocks and reads the final entry in Xdar’s journal: “They’ve gotten under our skin. We’re spacing the dead. Remember us….”

While I’m sorry that I missed Jason’s latest “Star Wars: Dark Times” session, I look forward to continuing our adventures tonight and the D&D5e “Vanished Lands” nautical crew tomorrow! Live long and prosper, -Gene

View

SEP/2015

"Vortex" Telecom Update 5c.27

Fleet reports

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.27 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 10 March 2013. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

In one future, humanity has begun to colonize the Sol system, but environmental degradation, population pressures, and internecine conflict persist. The rediscovery of mystical abilities and open and official First Contact with galactic societies, themselves at war, threaten Terra’s very survival. Can heroes rise to the challenges?

“Vortex” Team 5c (3) Player Character rosters: Crew of the refitted experimental scout ship Blackbird:

“Lt. Sebastian Growlick” [Bruce K., secondary ]-male Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” lion), elite soldier and acting commander of the refitted Blackbird

“Tela” [Sara F., secondary ]-female Tharian (gargoyle-like alien), escapee from the Encegulans (slug-like slavers), fond of humans; engineer with boyfriend Kedar

“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A., secondary/absent ]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) wanderer with a past, investigator

“Lord Wallace Tubbington” [Josh C., secondary ]-male Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) swashbuckler and diplomat for the Kharvamid Alliance

“Brun” [Geoff C., secondary ]-male Martian Ursoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” bear), former wrestler, pilot

“Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup” [Byron V.O., secondary ]-male Terran human, gung-ho member of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps

“Enkidu Aristheon” [Dexter V.H., secondary ]-male Seranen (pale empathic humanoid alien) exile, wilderness survival expert curious about Terrans and the Zarkonian threat; with sphinx-like companion Glaucon

Crew of the yacht Pina Colada:

“Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F., primary ]-female Martian Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” tiger), former pit fighter and crewmember of the Appomattox, now captain of the Pina Colada searching for a homeworld for her people

“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A., primary/absent ]-male Terran human, former spy and crewmember on the Appomattox, cautious engineer and communications expert

“Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C., primary ]-male Terran human, former assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co., sniper and seeker aboard the Blackbird and Pina Colada

“Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C., primary ]-male Pomuyan (blue telepathic humanoid alien), irrepressible mystic and thrill-seeking galactic hitchhiker

“Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (genetically modified) xenobiologist, curious and confident planetary patriot; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

“Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird and Dauntless crews; defender of the homeworld

“Chiron” [Dexter V.H., primary ]-male (secretly android) pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

See other records for the previous crews of the Blackbird, Appomattox, and Gryphon.

“15 to 18 July 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” The Pina Colada delivered part of a smuggled cargo of artifacts from the Vatican Museums to the United Ecumenical Movement’s temples on Phobos. Its crew also uncovered a cultist for the approaching Zarkonian Armada.

Meanwhile, the Blackbird returns to the Asteroid Belt to report to the Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.). Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese is happy to settle back into the captain’s seat, and Chris McKee resumes his post as gunner, having swapped ships with Lt. Sebastian Growlick and Lord Wallace Tubbington III, respectively.

Lt. Brun Bearhammer pilots the Blackbird from a disused Black Box Security Co. safe house to Ceres Station. Tela and astromech assistant Dr. Bucket notice that passing tugs have been outfitted with weaponry.

Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup wants to ensure a safe transfer of the Vatican relics, and Enkidu Aristheon is curious about the human colonies. Tariq Asrad Saladin keeps busy cataloging the artifacts. Hector Chavez sends a message from the Pina Colada warning to watch out for compromised recipients.

Col. Shan Gray, Lt.Cmdr. Reese’s superior officer in the Interplanetary Patrol, personally greets members of “Terra’s Pride” in a landing bay. He assigns eight space marines to escort the cargo and crew to a secure level. Tariq, Dr. Bucket, and Enkidu’s gryphon-like companion Glaucon initially stay with the Blackbird.

Kevin pilots the Tiger Hawk Sandstorm, a modular ground-effect vehicle, and Tela, Chris, and Brun ride along with the cargo. Nate and Enkidu walk with the marines, warily watching the station’s inhabitants because several other parties are still hunting for the treasure.

Seranen empath Enkidu senses surprise at extraterrestrials such as himself and Tharian Tela being escorted by so many soldiers in urban battle dress, but no hostility.

In a research facility deep in the honeycombed asteroid, Lt.Cmdr. Reese turns over the last containers to Dr. Brett Carson. The explorer explains that the ancient items could be helpful in defending the Sol system against the Zarkonians.

While Kevin and Nate brief fellow U.S.N. personnel, Tela goes to look for Ceres Station’s main engineering section. Brun, Chris, and Enkidu accompany her. They find a massive amount of activity, as microfusion generators are installed, structural reinforcements are made, and khaki-clad workers scurry about. Some components bear megacorporate logos.

Tela talks with Lt. Hedy, a “Synth” (artificial intelligence/gynoid) engineer. Lt. Hedy cheerfully confirms Tela’s theory that the asteroid is being turned into a vessel capable of Transit (faster-than-light travel). Brun is bored, and Chris doesn’t like robots, so they leave as the engineers continue their discussion.

Enkidu returns to the Blackbird and rides Glaucon into the station, turning heads on their way to get exercise in a hydroponic garden tier. Brun goes to the “Sloppy Seconds” bar and finds a brawl in progress.

Chris inquires about former buddies and finds fellow sniper Sgt. Jane Walthrop at a firing range. They try out new guns and reminisce about service at Fort Olympus Mons on Mars.

At Col. Gray’s office, Lt.Cmdr. Reese and Sgt. Jessup get a friendlier private reception. As usual, the colonel asks the formerly burned-out space cop how he’s feeling, and Kevin says that he is happy to have found a purpose.

Shan explains that the Korelev, part of Kevin’s homeworld security task force, has recently docked with the U.S.N. battleship Ilokar [named after the Zarendo god of war]. Gustrall (orange-furred, antlered, flightless avian alien) Capt. “Evander Scofield” has reported to Adm. Jaques Pons that the Dauntless, flagship of the task force, is missing.

Back at the “Sloppy Seconds,” Brun bellows for the fighting to stop. Most of the drunken patrons cease their fisticuffs, but a few in the back keep going. The Ursoid shoves his way through the crowd and slams a Felinoid (“Uplifted” tiger) into a table. Brun then asks Darcy, Jasmine’s ex-boyfriend, to play cards. The furry duo exchange more grunts than words thereafter.

Tela helps Lt. Hedy improve the efficiency of Ceres Station’s new systems, which are Terran models based on Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) and Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity, reptilian alien) designs. The android states that the asteroid is a test bed for the new technologies.

Chris and Jane go to Murphy’s Pub, while Kevin and Nate eventually join Brun on Deck 3, Room 32C. Chris then gives Jane a private tour of the experimental scout ship Blackbird. While Lt.Cmdr. Reese would also like female companionship, he and Sgt. Jessup have to report to the Ilokar. They grab a few bottles of whiskey as consolation.

Lt. Bearhammer and Darcy go bar-hopping, and Enkidu stays in radio contact with Tariq. Kevin and Nate take the Dragonfly drop ship over to the Ilokar battle group. Capt. Scofield [Josh/Non-Player Character] explains that the task force was spread thin over a large area of interstellar space when the Dauntless, Crazy Horse, and Sovereign failed to check in.

Evander provides the ships’ last known position and volunteers to help find them and “destroy the perpetrators,” but Kevin decides not to ask Adm. Pons to have the Korolev join the Blackbird. Nate suspects the Zurmiz Krott, biomechanical advance probes of the armada.

The admiral does say that support is available from Terran bases in the nearby systems of Alpha Centauri, Epsilon Eridani, and Wolf 359. He also gives the officers alarming top-secret information: The Zarkonian Armada, once believed to be far from Earth, is now less than two months away.

The U.S.N. and Kharvamid Alliance are rushing to outfit as many vessels and habitats as possible with Transit capability, but escalating conflicts in the Inner Solar System have forced them to refocus their efforts. Ma’ari Talari (alien ark ships) are also on their way, and the Trinoids (trilateral amphibians) and Nethians (insectoid engineers) have provided advisers.

Kevin asks for his sister in law Jennifer and her boyfriend Capt. Nick Cheney (whom he suspects of murdering his wife Heather) to be evacuated from New Shanghai on Mars. Nate requests that his clan of miners also be moved if possible.

Adm. Pons asks Lt.Cmdr. Reese to report back to high command upon successful completion of his mission to find the Dauntless, Crazy Horse, and Sovereign because his task force will be needed to help scout out evacuation routes and destinations.

However, as Kevin calls “Terra’s Pride” to regroup, he tells his companions that they should try to find a way to slow or injure the approaching armada. Lt.Cmdr. Reese asks Capt. Jasmine and the Pina Colada to catch up to the Blackbird as it searches for the Dauntless in deep space….

Next time, on “Vortex: Terra’s Pride:” A space-suited away team waves rifles and flashlights through an apparently vacant ship. “There are no life signs, sir, but we’re getting movement….”

Dexter, I hope that you had a Happy Birthday, and Beruk, we missed “Tariq.” Geoff, please direct your friend who’s interested in our campaign to the Obsidian Portal site and have him contact me directly.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing some of you at tonight’s “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy game, and remember that I’ll probably be missing Jason E.R.’s next “Barsoomian Adventures: the Tenth Ray of Mars” planetary romance session. Take it easy, -Gene

View

MAR/2013

"Vortex" Telecom Updates 5c.25, 26

Cache and cultist

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Sessions 5c.25 and 26 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on 24 February and 3 March 2013. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

“Vortex” Team 5c (3) Player Character rosters: Crew of the yacht Pina Colada:

“Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F., primary ]-female Martian Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” tiger), former pit fighter and crewmember of the Appomattox, now captain of the Pina Colada searching for a homeworld for her people

“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A., primary ]-male Terran human, former spy and crewmember on the Appomattox, cautious engineer and communications expert

“Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C., primary ]-male Terran human, former assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co., sniper and seeker aboard the Blackbird and Pina Colada

“Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C., primary ]-male Pomuyan (blue telepathic humanoid alien), irrepressible mystic and thrill-seeking galactic hitchhiker

“Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (genetically modified) xenobiologist, curious and confident planetary patriot; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

“Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird and Dauntless crews; defender of the homeworld

“Chiron” [Dexter V.H., primary/absent ]-male (secretly android) pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

Crew of the refitted experimental scout ship Blackbird:

“Lt. Sebastian Growlick” [Bruce K., secondary ]-male Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” lion), elite soldier and acting commander of the refitted Blackbird

“Tela” [Sara F., secondary ]-female Tharian (gargoyle-like alien), escapee from the Encegulans (slug-like slavers), fond of humans; engineer with boyfriend Kedar

“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A., secondary ]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) wanderer with a past, investigator

“Lord Wallace Tubbington” [Josh C., secondary ]-male Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) swashbuckler and diplomat for the Kharvamid Alliance

“Brun” [Geoff C., secondary ]-male Martian Ursoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” bear), former wrestler, pilot

“Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup” [Byron V.O., secondary ]-male Terran human, gung-ho member of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps

“Enkidu Aristheon” [Dexter V.H., secondary/absent ]-male Seranen (pale empathic humanoid alien) exile, wilderness survival expert curious about Terrans and the Zarkonian threat; with sphinx-like companion Glaucon

See other records for the previous crews of the Blackbird, Appomattox, and Gryphon.

“10 to 17 July 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” While the explorers aboard the Blackbird first ventured into interstellar space, the grifters aboard the Appomattox had obtained a cargo of items taken from the Vatican Museums. Rather than deliver the artifacts near Epsilon Eridani, the smugglers had hid them in deep space.

Months later, the “Terra’s Pride” task force, including crew members from the Appomattox and Blackbird, returned to find the Plutonium Hammer retrieving containers on behalf of Intersystems Salvage. The Pina Colada encountered a Nolath-Kutalrin vessel also seeking the Vatican relics.

“Terra’s Pride” escorted the Plutonium Hammer and its contents back to Ganymede in the Jovian Commonwealth, where it learned that Kolidari, a dangerous Octopoid (bioengineered cephalopod), was involved.

The Pina Colada and Blackbird boldly seized the contested cargo from an Intersystems Salvage warehouse in New Havana and retreated to a former Black Box Security Co. base in the Asteroid Belt. The group examined the items, hoping to find mystical meaning, historical or trade significance, and defenses against the approaching Zarkonian Armada.

Hector Chavez suggests a “reverse heist,” returning the relics to a proper authority to divert those hunting them and the treasure. The former spy also recommends that his companions work out a private set of signals and passphrases.

Dr. Srinu Pahul prepares versions of the cargo manifest for various museums. Capt. Jasmine suggests sending one to the arachnid Nolath and avoiding gangster Kolidari, as well as onetime colleagues in “MarSoupAiL” (shell company Mars Soup Aid Lenders Ltd.).

Lt.Cmrd. Kevin Reese and Chris McKee say they’d prefer to turn over everything to the Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.) in the name of homeworld security. While some of their crewmates want to claim a few items for themselves, explorers Chiron and Enkidu Aristheon assert that everything belongs in a museum.

After some debate, the members of “Terra’s Pride” agree to deliver most of the artifacts to the authorities rather than to other smugglers or mysterious alien traders. The task force decides against going to Fort Olympus Mons on Mars.

Hector tells Jasmine and company to warn people such as her ex-boyfriend Darcy to be careful, since his handler Max told him that several other parties were hunting for the cargo.

On the Pina Colada, Capt. Jasmine studies the Televalutor, an ancient astrogation device. Hector takes a few Spanish doubloons as potential bargaining chips, and scientist Srinu claims the Ring of Andeleb, which can protect against Zurmiz Krott nanites. Sniper Chris grabs the Gem of Focus.

Kevin tries on the chain Coif of Egg Shen against mental attacks. Pomuyan mystic warrior Orion waits for Hector to repair a plasma sword hilt and reads a fragment of the Second Imperial Encyclopedia Galactica.

Chiron declines his share of the booty [getting a Fate point instead] and makes a redacted copy of the cargo manifest for Dr. Martha Liao, a xenobiologist at the Terran science academies.

From the Blackbird, Lt. Sebastian Growlick dons the Sash of Giganta, which enhances strength, but engineer Tela also declines a share [and gets another Fate point]. Tariq Asrad Saladin determines that the Bow of Indra fires charged arrows.

Lord Wallace Tubbington III waits for Tela to forge him a katana to put into the Scabbard of Musashi. Lt. Nathan A. Jessup takes a replica of an ancient Chinese dagger as a souvenir, and Enkidu Aristheon is given a crystal that amplifies his psionic abilities. Brun claims…?

In addition, Hector recommends keeping some of the Trojan gold in party stores. Before getting under way, Kevin and Chris switch ships with Sebastian and Wallace. Lt.Cmdr. Reese rejoins his military crew on the Blackbird, as Lt. Growlick hangs out with fellow Felinoid, Capt. Jasmine, on the Pina Colada.

The former “Agent Prometheus” compares tactical notes with pilot Brun, while Lord Tubbington talks about galactic tourism with Orion and Chiron. Hector and Tela coordinate microjumps into Transit (faster than light) and mask ion trails to confuse potential pursuers.

The Pina Colada takes the bulk of the artistic and mythic objects from the Vatican horde to the United Ecumenical Movement (U.E.M.) temples on Phobos, a moon of Mars. Sebastian, Hector, and Wallace disembark, while Capt. Jasmine, Srinu, Chiron, and Orion stay on the ship and on the radio.

The new arrivals are greeted in the docking bay by Sister Philippa, a Buddhist chaplain who doesn’t recognize Dr. Pahul. Disguised as “Dr. Prabhakar Swapan Mullur,” he and the crew of the Gryphon previously broke out three Synth Liberation Front detainees from the temples.

Mighty Jasmine helps unload the precious cargo, while Sebastian recognizes his brother Castillian, a notorious pirate just happening to visit Phobos on family business. The leonine “Synth” explains that Ms. Helen Gastmeyer had recommended asking U.E.M. contacts for help getting a seat on the colonial parliament.

Wary Hector recognizes Ms. Gastmeyer as someone “MarSoupAiL” had dealt with back on Earth. Meanwhile, Wallace (wearing Musashi’s scabbard) wanders into the temple precincts, where the Olvar meets several interesting humans. Brother Abel notices Lord Tubbington’s long coat and challenges him to a duel, but the swashbuckler is called away by Hector.

Sebastian and Wallace rush back to Jasmine to help escort the cargo to a secure archive. Srinu and Hector have Sebastian recommend that Sister Philippa try on the Diadem of Theodora. She uses it to perceive the auras of those around her.

Brother Nelvin nervously asks to be excused. Lt. Growlick and Lord Tubbington follow the friar, who takes an unexpected turn in the hallway. They confront Nelvin, who refuses to cooperate. Sebastian reaches for a gun and knocks him out. The lieutenant carries the robed cleric.

Aboard the Pina Colada, Hector notices an energy spike from a personal force screen, as Srinu watches for reinforcements for Nelvin. Impatient Jasmine dons space armor and runs to help Sebastian and Wallace.

Lt. Growlick takes Nelvin’s belt and contacts Sister Philippa to get clearance to bring the prisoner to the yacht. Capt. Jasmine gives the order to leave, but Wallace and Hector aren’t aboard.

Wallace has gone to a gift shop to look for a katana, while Hector searches Nelvin’s quarters. He finds spare power cells for the personal force field and a holdout needler loaded with sedatives, odd items for a monk.

Back on the Pina Colada, Dr. Pahul restrains the supposedly ill Brother Nelvin for interrogation and conducts a medical scan. The doctor finds a cranial implant more advanced than Black Box models, and Hector jams its transmissions. Jasmine recommends that Orion conduct a mind wipe if needed.

Wallace asks Nelvin about his allegiances in return for an offer of clemency. Nelvin surprises everyone by saying that the U.E.M. and “Terra’s Pride” are deluded if they think they can save Terrans from the Zarkonian Armada. He says they “should ally with the coming darkness.”

Sebastian sends Jasmine and Srinu’s robot nurse MEGAN out of sickbay. Srinu and Wallace go get a drink. The remote observers fear that Sebastian will harm Nelvin, but the cunning lieutenant feigns sympathy. The brother reveals that Ms. Gastmeyer can be found at Wolf 359, a nearby solar system.

Hector and Sebastian realize that Castillian’s presence at the behest of Ms. Gastmeyer, Brother Nelvin’s participation in a Zarkonian cult, and their own delivery of the Vatican cargo is no coincidence. Even though they’d prefer to space the enemy spy, Srinu and Sebastian agree that he might yet prove useful.

Dr. Pahul and Lt. Growlick warn Sister Philippa that Brother Nelvin has been compromised. Hector successfully hacks into his cranial implant and transmits the codes to the U.E.M. Sister Philippa reluctantly agrees to tighten security and covertly monitor Nelvin in the hope of learning more.

Sebastian gives Nelvin’s belt to Hector, and Wallace takes the needler. Srinu and Chiron record documentation. The Pina Colada sets out from Phobos to rendezvous with the Blackbird in the Asteroid Belt.

Lt.Cmdr. Reese has contacted his superior, Col. Shan Gray of the Interplanetary Patrol. The Blackbird brings part of the Vatican treasure to “Ilokar” battle group, commanded by Adm. Jacques Pons….

Dexter and Geoff, I’m sorry that you missed our latest session. Dex, I hope that you had a Happy Birthday! I’ve updated your P.C. records to reflect the distribution of items/stunts and Fate points, but let me know if you have any additional changes.

I hope to eventually rejoin Jason E.R.’s “Barsoomian Adventures: the Tenth Ray of Mars,” and I look forward to next Monday’s “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy game. I’ll see you at tomorrow night’s “Vortex” telecom session — don’t forget Daylight Saving Time! -Gene

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MAR/2013

"Vortex" Telecom Update 5c.24

New Havana heist

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.24 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 10 February 2013. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

“Vortex” Team 5c (3) Player Character rosters: Crew of the yacht Pina Colada:

“Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F., primary ]-female Martian Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” tiger), former pit fighter and crewmember of the Appomattox, now captain of the Pina Colada searching for a homeworld for her people

“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A., primary ]-male Terran human, former spy and crewmember on the Appomattox, cautious engineer and communications expert

“Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C., primary ]-male Terran human, former assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co., sniper and seeker aboard the Blackbird and Pina Colada

“Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C., primary ]-male Pomuyan (blue telepathic humanoid alien), irrepressible mystic and thrill-seeking galactic hitchhiker

“Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (genetically modified) xenobiologist, curious and confident planetary patriot; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

“Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird and Dauntless crews; defender of the homeworld

“Chiron” [Dexter V.H., primary ]-male (secretly android) pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

Crew of the experimental scout ship Blackbird:

“Lt. Sebastian Growlick” [Bruce K., secondary ]-male Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” lion), elite soldier and acting commander of the refitted Blackbird

“Tela” [Sara F., secondary ]-female Tharian (gargoyle-like alien), escapee from the Encegulans (slug-like slavers), fond of humans; engineer with boyfriend Kedar and robot Dr. Bucket

“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A., secondary ]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) wanderer with a past, investigator

“Lord Wallace Tubbington III” [Josh C., secondary ]-male Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) swashbuckler and diplomat for the Kharvamid Alliance

“Brun” [Geoff C., secondary ]-male Martian Ursoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” bear), former wrestler, pilot

“Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup” [Byron V.O., secondary ]-male Terran human, gung-ho member of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps

“Enkidu Aristheon” [Dexter V.H., secondary ]-male Seranen (pale empathic humanoid alien) exile, wilderness survival expert curious about Terrans and the Zarkonian threat; with sphinx-like companion Glaucon

See other records for the previous crews of the Blackbird, Appomattox, and Gryphon.

“7 to 9 July 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” After separate voyages, the Pina Colada and Blackbird joined to form the “Terra’s Pride” task force. The starships found that they were not alone in the hunt for stolen Vatican treasures, following them to Jupiter’s moon Ganymede.

On the yacht Pina Colada, Capt. Jasmine says that she wants to limit collateral damage if the ancient relics are to be seized by force. The Plutonium Hammer had retrieved two shipping containers near Epsilon Eridani and delivered them to an Intersystems Salvage warehouse in New Havana.

Hector Chavez hacks into local security systems. The onetime spy tracks Kolidari back to a rented apartment and a private shuttle. Hector and Jasmine suspect the Octopoid (bioengineered cephalopod) casino owner of masterminding a plot involving smuggling, blackmail, religious factions, and murder on Saturn’s moon Titan.

Chris McKee reminds his companions that they don’t have the cargo-handling equipment to simply remove the containers from the Jovian warehouse. Orion Starchaser is restless as the crew discusses a potential heist. He and Chiron want to examine the artifacts as soon as possible.

Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese prefers a clear plan, and he and Dr. Srinu Pahul recommend notifying the Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.) and the United Ecumenical Movement (U.E.M.) about the items. They also coordinate with colleagues aboard the scout ship Blackbird.

Lt. Sebastian Growlick, Brun, and Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup would like to simply attack the warehouse, but Capt. Jasmine and Lt.Cmdr. Reese overrule the eager space marines. Tela assembles makeshift magnetic grapples with supplies acquired by Dr. Pahul.

Lord Wallace Tubbington III notes that the space where the containers were retrieved falls between Terran and Ru’ulok (reptilian alien pirate) control. Tariq Asrad Saladin and Enkidu Aristheon express concern that the historical items be preserved. They also warn both crews to be on the lookout for the Nolath-Kutalrin ship also hunting for the cargo.

Brun pilots the agile Blackbird to New Havana and drops off Tela, Orion, and Srinu. Chiron maneuvers the larger Pina Colada to grab the containers, with Nathan in a space suit on Hector’s hover truck to assist with loading. Hector loans Srinu a variable electromagnetic pulse (EMP) gun, and he, Jasmine, and Sebastian monitor communications and nearby traffic.

Tela picks a lock on a side door, and the infiltration team heads to a lavatory. Hector remotely hacks into the warehouse surveillance systems and warns the trio about numerous robots. Orion telepathically senses several human personnel, and Srinu readies a needler pistol.

Two Intersystems Salvage workers enter the washroom, and quick-thinking Srinu strips off his clothing and jumps into the showers. Tela and Orion hide in stalls. Srinu emerges and introduces himself as “Rajesh Abishek,” a recently-arrived transport agent from New Shanghai in the Mars Confederacy.

Tom Kelden and Gregor Andreivtich tell Rajesh to report to the manager’s office, and Srinu grabs some overalls from a laundry hamper. They complain about tightened security and agree to swing by the employee lounge with Rajesh.

While Srinu continues his diversion, Tela squeezes into an air duct. The stealthy Tharian climbs to a position above the units containing the Vatican artifacts, leaving Orion alone. The Pomuyan mystic exits the building and sweeps the perimeter.

Hector recognizes an arriving shuttle, and he tells the team to hurry up. Orion senses visitors to the management office, and he radios Srinu to intercept. Tela plants explosives on the outer wall of the warehouse.

As Rajesh, Srinu finds himself face to face with tentacled Kolidari! The charming cephalopod has a vocal device programmed to resemble an archaic Terran actor [Sean Connery]. Tela is nearly captured by a security droid, but Hector overrides its controls so she can join Orion.

Kolidari graciously offers to meet with Rajesh to discuss potential business, and Srinu manages to disengage and retreat. Hector triggers the explosives, but Gregor is caught in the explosive decompression.

Chris accurate fires the magnetic grapples and reels the containers into the Pina Colada’s cargo hold. Nathan grabs Gregor and brings him to safety, while Tela, Orion, and Srinu evade station security to rendezvous with the Blackbird.

Dr. Pahul’s robot nurse MEGAN attends to unconscious Gregor, and both ships head to the Asteroid Belt. Agent Prometheus recommends an abandoned Black Box Security Co. safehouse over returning to Mars or Saturn.

The Pina Colada and Blackbird dock at a decrepit asteroid base. Engineers Hector and Tela work on stabilizing systems such as life support and attitude control. Dr. Pahul insists on proper containment procedures before examining the cargo, citing the dangerous nanites (microscopic robots) emitted by Zarkonian probes.

After impatiently waiting, Orion and Chiron begin examining the artifacts, with Jasmine, Chris, Srinu, and Enkidu watching closely. The items fall into three categories:

Artistic and historical: Such as the lost scrolls of Babylon (indicating trade with the “Vanished Lands”) gold from Troy, and notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci
Ancient technology: the Televalutor (a Greek astrolabe), South Pacific star maps
Mythic objects: Including the Sash of Giganta, Musashi’s Scabbard, the Horn of Roland (believed be merely legends)

Orion detects some psionic resonance, similar to what he had found on Earth, supporting Srinu’s theories of pre-First Contact relations between humans and aliens. Chris recalls Precursor technology found by the Blackbird and hopes to find weapons that can be used against the approaching Zarkonian Armada.

Hector and Kevin wonder why the arachnid Nolath and cyborg Kutalrin would be interested in the cargo, since they’re known more for engineering than cultural interests. Wallace confirms that the Olvar (arboreal mammal-like mystics and pranksters) and Ru’ulok have more in common with Terrans.

Jasmine and Sebastian remind their crews that they have limited time to study the relics and to decide what to do with them, since several other groups are now hunting for them….

Dexter and Bruce, we missed you at this past weekend’s game! While we had a slow start — everyone was no doubt tired from shoveling snow — I’m glad that your heist was successful. I hope to engage each character more equitably, and good luck to your crews as they analyze the retrieved relics! Make the most of our time between sessions.

Note that we won’t be meeting virtually again until Sunday, Feb. 24, because I have travel planned for this coming weekend. The face-to-face sessions for Jason’s “Barsoomian Adventures” pulp SF and my “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy campaign have also been pushed back because of the weather. In the meantime, take it easy, and stay in touch, -Gene

View

FEB/2013

"Vortex" Telecom Update 5c.23

The calamari's not right

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.23 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 27 January 2013. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

“Vortex” Team 5c (3) Player Character rosters: Crew of the yacht Pina Colada:

“Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F., primary ]-female Martian Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” tiger), former pit fighter and crewmember of the Appomattox, now captain of the Pina Colada searching for a homeworld for her people

“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A., primary ]-male Terran human, former spy and crewmember on the Appomattox, cautious engineer and communications expert

“Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C., primary ]-male Terran human, former assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co., sniper and seeker aboard the Blackbird and Pina Colada

“Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C., primary ]-male Pomuyan (blue telepathic humanoid alien), irrepressible mystic and thrill-seeking galactic hitchhiker

“Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (genetically modified) xenobiologist, curious and confident planetary patriot; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

“Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird and Dauntless crews; defender of the homeworld

“Chiron” [Dexter V.H., primary ]-male (secretly android) pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

Crew of the experimental scout ship Blackbird:

“Lt. Sebastian Growlick” [Bruce K., secondary ]-male Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” lion), elite soldier and acting commander of the refitted Blackbird

“Tela” [Sara F., secondary ]-female Tharian (gargoyle-like alien), escapee from the Encegulans (slug-like slavers), fond of humans; engineer with boyfriend Kedar and robot Dr. Bucket

“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A., secondary ]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) wanderer with a past, investigator

“Lord Wallace Tubbington III” [Josh C., secondary ]-male Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) swashbuckler and diplomat for the Kharvamid Alliance

“Brun” [Geoff C., secondary ]-male Martian Ursoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” bear), former wrestler, pilot

“Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup” [Byron V.O., secondary ]-male Terran human, gung-ho member of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps

“Enkidu Aristheon” [Dexter V.H., secondary ]-male Seranen (pale empathic humanoid alien) exile, wilderness survival expert curious about Terrans and the Zarkonian threat; with sphinx-like companion Glaucon

See other records for the previous crews of the Blackbird, Appomattox, and Gryphon.

“4 to 6 July 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” The “Terra’s Pride” task force traveled to a stash in interstellar space, but it encountered two rival vessels. The Pina Colada managed to dismiss alien hunters, while the Blackbird found humans and robots from the Plutonium Hammer conducting a salvage operation.

Aboard the yacht Pina Colada, Capt. Jasmine convenes a meeting to discuss options as “Terra’s Pride” heads back toward Earth. Hector Chavez reminds his companions of the history of the Vatican treasure, including how it was collected and initially hidden or thought lost, its resurfacing and theft, and the Appomattox ’s abortive delivery to the arachnid Nolath.

Amateur archaeologist Dr. Srinu Pahul asks about the mystical or extraterrestrial nature of the relics. Hector explains that they’re mainly significant to human culture and history, but smugglers may have hoped to trade them to aliens. Psions Orion Starchaser and Chiron hope to study the artifacts directly.

No stranger to secretive organizations, Chris McKee asks Jasmine which recipients would be acceptable for the cargo — corporations such as Black Box Security Co., Vimeco, or MarSoupAiL, or authorities such as the Union of Solar Nations or the United Ecumenical Movement. She prefers the latter.

Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese agrees with the captain and notes that it’s important for the crews to have a plan for when they leave faster-than-light Transit. Hector wonders if there is a legal basis for a counterclaim, but Kevin states that the Nolath and Kutalrin hunters and approaching Zarkonian Armada are bigger concerns than an apparently legitimate retrieval crew.

Meanwhile, the scout ship Blackbird escorts the Plutonium Hammer to the Sol system. Lt. Sebastian Growlick notes that real-time communications are impossible while in Transit, and engineer Tela asks robot Dr. Bucket to double-check the salvage contract upon their return.

Tariq Asrad Saladin looks in the ship’s Olvar database for connections between conspiracies such as the Illuminati and extraterrestrial interest in humanity. The wanderer shares Srinu’s interests and hopes to find a reason why the Vatican Museum items were being shipped away from Earth, but he finds nothing conclusive beyond the manifest.

Brun continues acclimating himself to the _Blackbird_’s biomechanical interface. The Ursoid pilot and Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup recommend taking the containers from the Plutonium Hammer by force and begin work on targeting solutions.

By contrast, Lord Wallace Tubbington III and Enkidu Aristheon hope for a peaceful solution. The Olvar and Seranen are also interested in learning more about the relics, but they urge against any interstellar incidents. Jasmine agrees with them.

The Plutonium Hammer drops out of Transit, followed by the Blackbird and, a discreet distance away, the Pina Colada. Scans indicate that they are approaching Jupiter rather than Earth. Electromagnetic and gravitic fields interfere with long-range sensors and communications.

On the Blackbird , Tariq tells his crewmates to beware of pirates in the outer system, and Tela observes that the Capt. Olaf Kurgos is broadcasting the Plutonium Hammer’s arrival. Capt. Growlick tells Brun and Sgt. Jessup to be ready on the guns, while Wallace and Enkidu ask about past shady dealings.

The Pina Colada watches as the other two ships head to New Yokohama on the moon Callisto. Former spy Hector explains to Capt. Jasmine that while he doesn’t want to remind local foes of the Gryphon, he would like to notify the Interplanetary Patrol of smuggling.

Chris, however, recommends watching and waiting to see who meets with Capt. Kurgos for the cargo. Orion and Chiron also want to avoid an armed confrontation, so the Pina Colada heads to a spaceport to dock.

Although they are too far to hack into the Plutonium Hammer‘s computers, Chiron mentions to engineer Hector that he’d like to explore ways to use the ship’s electronic warfare suite to boost his technopsi abilities. Srinu asks for medical scans.

At New Yokohama, Tela, Brun, Enkidu, Sebastian, Kedar, and Dr. Bucket stay aboard the Blackbird, while Tariq, Wallace, and Nathan don civvies and go ashore with Capt. Kurgos, his statuesque first mate Nerine Lellikssen, and Vimeco droid MuBot.

They catch a shuttle from Callisto to Ganymede. At the “Floating Cove” bar and grill, the crew members from the Blackbird and Plutonium Hammer meet Melita Veturia, a Canid (Doberman “Synth”) working with Intersystem Salvage. She is expecting Capt. Kurgos, but not the others.

Tariq inquires about how much Veturia knows about the Vatican treasure, and the fixer shrugs and says that she’s aware of its value. Veturia and Kurgos offer to let others in on the artifacts only after they’ve been successfully delivered. Tariq is very curious about a potential secret auction.

Space marine Nathan scans the other patrons at the Floating Cove and relays to Hector the presence of another Canid (“Uplifted” bull terrier) and a rare Octopoid (bioengineered cephalopod). He and Jasmine confirm that the latter is Kolidari, owner of the Lucky Garden Casino on Eclipse Station near Saturn’s moon Titan.

Hector warns that the grifters aboard the Appomattox suspected the Octopoid of murdering preacher Hugh Doyle in a plot involving religious factions, blackmail, and smuggling. Nathan considers notifying local authorities, but Jasmine points out that they’re probably already under Kolidari’s influence.

Wallace hangs back and chats with Melita, who says that she just wants to conclude the transaction with Capt. Kurgos and Nerine and get paid. The Olvar swashbuckler cites customs bureaucracy to stall for time.

Veturia makes a counteroffer: She will bring the cargo to a secure Intersystem Salvage facility on Ganymede but leave it on “neutral turf” until the ownership documentation is reviewed.

After a quick teleconference with captains Jasmine and Growlick, Tariq and Wallace agree to Veturia’s terms. Orion and Chiron still want to examine the relics themselves, but Nathan warns them that Kolidari is likely pulling the strings. Tela worries that the Nolath and their cyborg partners, the Kutalrin, are also still hunting around Jupiter for the cargo.

As robots offload containers from the Plutonium Hammer, the crews of the Pina Colada and the Blackbird regroup and debate whom they should contact and whether to conduct a reverse heist….

Beruk, I hope that you had a Happy Birthday! Bruce, we missed you at our latest virtual session, and please note that we won’t be meeting on Super Bowl Sunday. Dexter, Byron, and Geoff, I’m sorry that you missed parts of the game, but we can touch base in the next week or so.

While I’m sorry that the Boston-area, face-to-face group wasn’t able to meet this week because of quorum and the weather, I look forward to continuing the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy campaign and Jason’s “Barsoomian Adventures: the Tenth Ray of Mars” planetary romance miniseries. “Vortex” is scheduled to resume on Feb. 10 and 24. May the Force be with all of you — and live long and prosper! -Gene

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JAN/2013

"Vortex" Telecom Update 5c.22

Search and standoff

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.22 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 20 January 2013. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

“Vortex” Team 5c (3) Player Character rosters: Crew of the yacht Pina Colada:

“Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F., primary ]-female Martian Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” tiger), former pit fighter and crewmember of the Appomattox, now captain of the Pina Colada searching for a homeworld for her people

“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A., primary ]-male Terran human, former spy and crewmember on the Appomattox, cautious engineer and communications expert

“Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C., primary ]-male Terran human, former assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co., sniper and seeker aboard the Blackbird and Pina Colada

“Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C., primary ]-male Pomuyan (blue telepathic humanoid alien), irrepressible mystic and thrill-seeking galactic hitchhiker

“Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (genetically modified) xenobiologist, curious and confident planetary patriot; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

“Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird and Dauntless crews; defender of the homeworld

“Chiron” [Dexter V.H., primary ]-male (secretly android) pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

Crew of the experimental scout ship Blackbird:

“Lt. Sebastian Growlick” [Bruce K., secondary ]-male Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” lion), elite soldier and acting commander of the refitted Blackbird

“Tela” [Sara F., secondary ]-female Tharian (gargoyle-like alien), escapee from the Encegulans (slug-like slavers), fond of humans; engineer with boyfriend Kedar

“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A., secondary ]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) wanderer with a past, investigator

“Lord Wallace Tubbington III” [Josh C., secondary ]-male Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) swashbuckler and diplomat for the Kharvamid Alliance

“Brun” [Geoff C., secondary ]-male Martian Ursoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” bear), former wrestler, pilot

“Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup” [Byron V.O., secondary ]-male Terran human, gung-ho member of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps

“Enkidu Aristheon” [Dexter V.H., secondary ]-male Seranen (pale empathic humanoid alien) exile, wilderness survival expert curious about Terrans and the Zarkonian threat; with sphinx-like companion Glaucon

See other records for the previous crews of the Blackbird, Appomattox, and Gryphon.

“1 to 3 July 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” While the yacht Pina Colada and scout ship Blackbird were refitted in the Asteroid Belt, some of their crew members made archaeological discoveries on Earth. “Terra’s Pride,” the new task force affiliated with the Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.), headed toward Epsilon Eridani after getting a lead on a hidden treasure from the Vatican Museums.

The Blackbird emerges from faster-than-light (FTL) Transit and finds a Rimrunner-class Terran freighter loading containers into its cargo bay. Lt. Sebastian Growlick sends a hail and designates Tariq Asrad Saladin, Enkidu Aristheon, and Lord Wallace Tubbington III as negotiatiors.

Engineers Tela and Kedar keep the experimental Olvar craft ready for pursuit, while Brun and Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup prepare for potential boarding actions. The Pina Colada is apparently delayed by an alien ship.

Capt. Olaf Kurgos of the Plutonium Hammer replies that he is registered with Intersystem Salvage to retrieve the Vatican artifacts. He radios a manifest and authorization from a Lt. Cristensen of the Interplanetary Patrol.

Wary Tariq scans the salvage ship, and Wallace invites Capt. Kurgos over for tea and discussion. Diplomatic Enkidu retrieves a blue ale acquired in his travels, while laconic Brun brings the Blackbird around to dock with the Plutonium Hammer.

Capt. Kurgos is accompanied by his statuesque first officer, Nerine Lellikssen, and a friendly Vimeco robot, MuBot. Wallace escorts the newcomers to lounge, and Capt. Growlick asks Sgt. Jessup to hold off on any aggressive behavior.

Seeker Tariq discusses the legality of the salvage operation and believes that the United Ecumenical Movement is the rightful owner of the relics. The logs of the Pina Colada note how the cargo had been hidden in deep space rather than returned to Earth or delivered to the alien Nolath as originally planned.

Empath Enkidu senses that Capt. Kurgos and Nerine are sincere in not being interested in the items for themselves. Swashbuckler Wallace makes small talk.

Brun monitors drones on the Plutonium Hammer. Once their tasks are done, the robots line up at the cargo hold’s door. The Ursoid pilot and Tharian engineers Tela and Kedar set up subroutines in case they need to give chase.

Tela also gives Dr. Bucket, a U.S.N. droid assigned to the Blackbird, permission to talk with MuBot in the hopes of detecting any ulterior motives. Like Capt. Kurgos, MuBot claims to be part of a legitimate salvage operation rather than an interstellar smuggler.

Capt. Kurgos agrees to have the Blackbird escort the Plutonium Hammer back to Earth. Capt. Growlick considers exchanging crew members but decides against potential hostages, and Tariq monitors for signs of former members of “MarSoupAiL” (shell company Mars Soup Aid Lenders Ltd.).

Lord Wallace, whose father served aboard the Morifaiwet — the previous designation of the Blackbird — still expects trouble. Enkidu bids the visitors farewell, and Brun undocks. Tela and Dr. Bucket report that their scans of MuBot didn’t uncover any nefarious programming or equipment.

Meanwhile, the Pina Colada is forced to drop out of Transit by a large alien ship in its path. Capt. Jasmine orders the crew to battle stations and hails the unidentified vessel. Hector Chavez scans various weapons and translates incoming signals. Chris McKee is ready at the gunner’s station but holds his fire.

Orion Starchaser puts up psionic defenses for his crewmates, as Chiron maneuvers and Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese suits up in space armor. Dr. Srinu Pahul readies the medical bay and asks for biological samples if possible.

The extraterrestrials tell the Pina Colada not to interefere with their “hunt,” and Orion makes telepathic contact with the arachnid Nolath. At the same time, Chiron’s technopsi touches the hive mind of the cyborg Kutalrin, partners of the Nolath.

Brave Felinoid Jasmine parleys with the inscrutable aliens, while engineer Hector scans for vulnerabilities in the interfaces between Nolath and Kutalrin technology. Neither Orion nor Chiron senses any malicious intent, but they believe that the other aliens plan to take the cargo from the Plutonium Hammer by force if necessary.

Hacker Hector plants a command for the Nolath/Kutalrin to return to their point of origin. As the larger starship jumps into Transit, the Pina Colada turns back toward Earth to rendezvous with the Blackbird and Plutonium Hammer….

I thought we’re getting the hang of juggling Player Characters and multiple ships. Byron and Bruce, we missed you at this past weekend’s game. Beruk, I hope that you have a Happy Birthday! Bruce, I hope that the Winter Fantasy events have gone well, and we’ll miss you tonight and at tomorrow’s “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” face-to-face fantasy game (weather permitting).

The annual Death by Chocolate was as good as ever, and I hope to see most of you online tonight (Jan. 27). Note that our " Vortex: Terra’s Pride" teleconference may not meet next Sunday because of Super Bowl 47. In the meantime, take it easy, -Gene

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JAN/2013

"Vortex" Telecom Update 5c.21

Refit and revelations

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.21 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 13 January 2013. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

“Vortex” Team 5c (3) Player Character rosters: Crew of the yacht Pina Colada:

“Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F., primary ]-female Martian Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” tiger), former pit fighter and crewmember of the Appomattox, now captain of the Pina Colada searching for a homeworld for her people

“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A., primary ]-male Terran human, former spy and crewmember on the Appomattox, cautious engineer and communications expert

“Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C., primary ]-male Terran human, former assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co., sniper and seeker aboard the Blackbird and Pina Colada

“Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C., primary ]-male Pomuyan (blue telepathic humanoid alien), irrepressible mystic and thrill-seeking galactic hitchhiker

“Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (genetically modified) xenobiologist, curious and confident planetary patriot; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

“Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird and Dauntless crews; defender of the homeworld

“Chiron” [Dexter V.H., primary ]-male (secretly android) pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

Crew of the experimental scout ship Blackbird:

“Lt. Sebastian Growlick” [Bruce K., secondary ]-male Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” lion), elite soldier and acting commander of the refitted Blackbird

“Tela” [Sara F., secondary ]-female Tharian (gargoyle-like alien), escapee from the Encegulans (slug-like slavers), fond of humans; engineer with boyfriend Kedar

“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A., secondary ]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) wanderer with a past, investigator

“Lord Wallace Tubbington” [Josh C., secondary ]-male Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) swashbuckler and diplomat for the Kharvamid Alliance

“Brun” [Geoff C., secondary ]-male Martian Ursoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” bear), former wrestler, pilot

“Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup” [Byron V.O., secondary ]-male Terran human, gung-ho member of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps

“Enkidu Aristheon” [Dexter V.H., secondary ]-male Seranen (pale empathic humanoid alien) exile, wilderness survival expert curious about Terrans and the Zarkonian threat; with sphinx-like companion Glaucon

See other records for the previous crews of the Blackbird, Appomattox, and Gryphon.

“7 to 30 June 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” After delivering cargo and data to Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.) officers near Saturn’s moon Titan, the Pina Colada and Blackbird return to the Asteroid Belt for refits and crew reassignments. The Dauntless task force accompanies the yacht and scout ship and reports to the Ilokar battle group near Ceres Station.

Aboard the Pina Colada, Capt. Jasmine studies up on the responsibilities of her new rank as a privateer. Hector Chavez oversees work on the yacht and inquires about sharing research on zero-point devices. The engineer and former spy also trades in technologies for combination weapons and defenses against certain aliens.

Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese talks with Col. Shan Gray, his Interplanetary Patrol superior, as well as Adm. Jacques Pons aboard the Ilokar. Chris McKee considers an offer to re-enlist in the U.S.N. space navy. “Agent Prometheus” also wishes former colleague Timothy Dugan good luck in creating a new life after being an assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.

Dr. Srinu Pahul checks on his family, which is booking interstellar passage, and on the reactions of Dr. Martha Liao and other members of Terra’s science academies to his reports on the Zurmiz Krott, the dangerous biomechanical probes of the approaching Zarkonian Armada.

Orion Starchaser is relieved that his painfully logical mentor, Vovestomosanehe, has left. The Pomuyan mystic hitchhikes to Earth, where he finds that regional tensions and armed conflict have escalated. When Srinu and Chiron learn that Orion was pursuing an archaeological question, they hasten to join him.

Jasmine hangs out with Lieut. Sebastian Growlick, the acting commander of the refitted Blackbird. They agree on the name “Terra’s Pride” for their small fleet because of the following feline crew members:

Jasmine, tiger-woman
Sebastian, leonine “Synth”
Lord Wallace Tubbington III, an Olvar
Glaucon, Enkidu Aristheon’s sphinx-like companion

The captains agree that Glaucon would make a good mascot and to use a sphinx for the new team’s logo. They don’t agree, however, on the Synth Liberation Front, which Jasmine is sympathetic to but Sebastian considers a terrorist group.

Capt. Growlick also closely supervises work on the scout ship Blackbird with engineers Tela and Kedar. The Tharians visit Hector on the Pina Colada to compare notes. Tariq Asrad Saladin plays his Chrysalis guitar, while Wallace meets with fellow Olvar advisors to the U.S.N.

Brun and Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup turn out to be fans of Jasmine’s former career as a professional wrestler on Mars. Ursoid (“Uplifted” bear) Brun suggests going to a firing range, and Kevin and Nathan don civvies and eagerly and join him for target practice.

Enkidu follows Tela’s suggestion and goes to a nature preserve on Earth to allow Glaucon to stretch his wings and hunt. Meanwhile, on the Pina Colada, Hector recommends coordinating ship security, and Chris researches Zarkonian incursions using the Blackbird’s database.

Restless Orion, curious Srinu, and methodical Chiron go to Cheyenne territory in North America. Much of humanity is crowded into megalopli and arcologies, leaving farmland and wasteland relatively empty. They meet guide Mantotohpa (“Four Bears”) who relates legends of his ancestors meeting “sky people.”

Flamboyant Wallace and burly Brun play craps at Ceres Station, while military veterans Chris, Nathan, and Kevin go to a bar to trade war stories, followed by massages. Hector’s onetime handler Max(ine) tells him that she has learned that his former colleagues in “MarSoupAiL” — shell company Mars Soup Aid Lenders Ltd. — have acquired a faster-than-light (FTL) ship.

Friendly Orion tries to verify why the Cheyenne language closely resembles that of his species, the Pomuyans. Dr. Pahul gets confirmation of numerous contacts between extraterrestrials and humans before open and official First Contact just a year ago. Chiron records Mantotohpa’s tales, as well as images of nearby standing stones.

After Orion participates in ceremonial dances and a lacrosse game at the local high school, Mantotohpa takes the visitors in a hovertruck to the stone formation. The tribe’s elders explain how their people once dealt with the sky people as equals.

Dr. Pahul asks the elders for genetic samples because he believes that aliens enhanced the Terran metagene. More diplomatically, Orion and Chiron translate an ancient tablet as a treaty for a forgotten cultural exchange.

Orion notes that humans aren’t the only ones whose history must be rewritten; the Pomuyans had rejected emotion and contact with “lesser species” some time ago. He finds that some of the rocks act as a telepathic amplifier, enabling two-way signals. Orion then contacts Vovestomosanehe.

Out in the Asteroid Belt, Hector tells Capt. Jasmine and Capt. Growlick about the artifacts from the Vatican Museums that the grifters on the Appomattox had hidden in interstellar space rather than deliver to the arachnid Nolath as originally planned. Not only are the relics priceless to Terran culture, but they might also be useful in dealing with the Zarkonian menace.

The furred captains recall their crews to their ships. On the Pina Colada, Chiron takes the helm, with Capt. Jasmine and Lt.Cmdr. Reese also on the bridge. Chris goes to the gunner’s turret, and Dr. Pahul readies the medical bay. Orion reluctantly returns but is excited to race to the Vatican treasures. Hector monitors communications and the ship’s Transit FTL drive.

On the Blackbird, Brun is pilot, joined by Lt. Growlick and Enkidu on the bridge. Tela, Kedar, and robot Dr. Bucket deal with the biomechanical Olvar vessel’s engines. Sgt. Jessup takes the weapons station, in contrast to Tariq and Wallace’s hope for a diplomatic solution.

The “Terra’s Pride” task force sets out for Epsilon Eridani. The Starwind-class yacht is able to keep up with the Daemon-class scout ship, thanks to its recent overhaul. Brun is disoriented by the first jump into FTL Transit because of his symbiotic link with the Blackbird, which takes the lead.

Long-range scans detect two other ships in Transit space, but Capt. Growlick hopes to stake a claim on the Vatican relics. Tela squeezes more speed out of the engines, and Tariq verifies that possession is indeed nine-tenths of the law in deep space.

Lord Tubbington puts on a ceremonial robe and sword, while Nathan readies various guns. Enkidu secures Glaucon, and Sebastian designates him, Wallace, and Tariq as the initial negotiating team.

Over on the Pina Colada, Jasmine approves Kevin’s request to ready armored space suits for himself and Chris. Chiron reviews tactical maneuvers, as Orion raises a telepathic shield.

Hector prepares electronic countermeasures. Srinu reviews containment units and finds that the marines have consumed some of his stash of alcohol and cigars.

The Blackbird emerges from Transit about halfway between the Sol system and Epsilon Eridani. A Rimrunner-class Terran ship is already loading containers into its cargo bay!

The Pina Colada detects that a larger alien vessel will likely get to the site ahead of it, as Capt. Growlick and his crew hail the smuggler craft….

I hope that all of you enjoyed the “Vortex” session, as we shake down the crews of “Terra’s Pride!” Remember to let me know if you have any revisions to your Player Characters and ships, and good luck as you prepare to face off against the two other starships….

I hope to be home to begin our next session at our regular time, 7:00 p.m. Eastern. In the meantime, I also look forward to the next “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” face-to-face fantasy game and Jason E.R.’s “Barsoomian Adventures: the Tenth Ray of Mars” miniseries! -Gene

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JAN/2013

"Vortex" Telecom Update 5c.19

Docking with the Dauntless

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.19 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 30 December 2012. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 3 (5c) telecom Player Characters, crew of the Gryphon/Pina Colada, as of autumn 2012:

“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A.]-male Latin American Terran human, former spy and communications expert/engineer of the Appomattox and Gryphon/Pina Colada

“Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F.]-female Martian Felinoid (Synth, “Uplifted” tiger), former professional pit fighter and onetime crewmember of the Appomattox, now apart from the grifters in “MarSoupAiL” with boyfriend Darcy

“Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran human cyborg, former sniper for the North American Aerospace Marine Corps. and eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.; onetime crewmember of the scout ship Blackbird

“Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C.]-male Pomuyan [blue humanoid alien] outcast, irrepressible mystic and adrenaline junkie; with mentor Vovestomosanehe

“Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O.]-male Indian Terran “near-human” (bioengineered) xenobiologist, shadowed by scandal and confident in survival skills; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

“Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird crew; commander of a Union of Solar Nations task force aboard the Dauntless

“Chiron” [Dexter V.H./to join ]-male android pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

“Jax” [Robin H./absent ]-male human from the Asteroid Belt, vain space pirate and pilot of the Slipstream

“Jim Delaney” [Robert A.S./absent ]-male Terran “near-human” gambler and psi, encountered on Mars

Docking with the Dauntless and Catspaw

“12 to 15 May 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” As the “Stella Sagitta” encountered interstellar traders and the “Venture” visited Olvar space, former crew members from the “Blackbird” and “Appomattox” prepared to leave the Sol system.

Those aboard the Gryphon had retreated to the Oort Cloud, renamed the yacht the “Pina Colada,” and examined its cargo of smuggled zero-point explosives. Prisoner Timothy Dugan had submitted to physical and psychic surgery to undo his conditioning by the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.

Chris McKee sends a message to Kevin Reese, a colleague from the Blackbird, and they agree to meet near Saturn’s moon Titan. Chris and Dr. Srinu Pahul have been waiting to report to the Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.) about the approaching Zarkonian Armada.

Hector Chavez lets onetime handler Max know where to find him. Hector hopes that she can give a second opinion on the alien munitions obtained in the Asteroid Belt from Capt. Vijay Bhaghwandra of the Satan’s Strumpet.

Capt. Jasmine says that she’s tired of stealing and running, and the Pina Colada leaves the planar ecliptic, jumps through Transit (faster-than-light), and enters orbit around Saturn.

After contemplating the recent departure of pilot Jax, Orion Starchaser meditates. The blue-furred extraterrestrial continues his martial arts and mystical training with mentor Vovestomosanehe.

Three U.S.N. ships arrive at ringed Saturn and hail the “Pina Colada.” Lt.Cmdr. Reese, acting captain of the light cruiser Dauntless, greets “Agent Prometheus” and asks to meet face to face. Jasmine agrees, and the ships dock in low orbit, with the frigate “Tigress” and the scout ship Blackbird keeping watch.

Chris introduces Jasmine to Kevin, who in turn introduces the following fellow officers in his task force for homeworld security:

Capt. Sebastian Growlick, a male Terran Felinoid (“Uplifted” lion) and acting captain of the Blackbird
Capt. Elektra Contos, the female Terran human commander of the Tigress
Cmdr. Helena Cain, the female Martian human XO (executive officer/first mate) of the Dauntless
“Nylca of Clan Firehoof” [Brian W./Non-Player Character], the female Gustrall (orange-furred, flightless raptor) weapons officer of the Dauntless and a friend of Chris

Hector stays on the bridge of the Pina Colada while the officers exchange pleasantries. The burned operative monitors communications and scans the military vessels. Capt. Jasmine and Mr. McKee go aboard the Dauntless and talk with Lt.Cmdr. Reese and company in Kevin’s ready room. Jasmine is pleased to see fellow “Synths” (bioengineered humanoids) among the cruiser’s personnel.

Chris explains that the Pina Colada has studied samples of Zarkonian probes, fought Encegulan (slug-like alien) slavers in Europa’s frozen seas, and recently obtained weapons of mass destruction intended for Earth.

Kevin thanks Chris and Jasmine for the intelligence. He orders captains Growlick and Contos back to their ships to watch out for pirates. Dr. Pahul asks to meet with U.S.N. scientists, and Kevin agrees to send some to the Pina Colada.

Hector reminds his companions not to mention hidden Vatican treasures and the particulars of some of their past misadventures. A small ship approaches and is stopped by the Tigress. Hector exchanges coded messages with Max and gets permission for the Catspaw to enter the “Pina Colada’s” launch bay.

Chris and Kevin reminisce about their far-ranging travels with the Blackbird, and Kevin notes that most of that crew has dispersed. He had offered “Tela” [Sara] the chief engineer post on the Dauntless, but she and boyfriend Kedar stayed aboard the experimental ship.

Lt.Cmdr. Reese brings Nylca, Sebastian, Dr. “Phil Phillips,” and Lt. Mulan Neverland to the Pina Colada. Capt. Jasmine takes Kevin to the cockpit and shows him the piloting controls.

Sniper Chris catches up with fierce Nycla, who looks forward to new hunting expeditions. He also warns the security officer to watch out for Kraythor, a member of the “Takers” faction among the Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian aliens) who once traveled on the Anaconda.

Over high tea, Dr. Pahul shares his findings on the Zurmiz Krott/Harbingers of the Righteous Order of Submission, the biomechanical probes of the Zarkonians, with Lt. Neverland. Srinu tells the enthusiastic Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) about the deadly nanites (microscopic) they emit, as well as countermeasures such as psionics and electromagnetic pulses.

In the Pina Colada’s medical bay, Dr. Pahul reluctantly shows Dr. Phillips the sedated Dugan. The logical Pomuyan is different in temperament from cheerful wanderer Orion but no less dedicated to protecting life. Robots MEGAN and PEPE attend to the patient.

Jasmine and Chris show the U.S.N. officers the zero-point devices, and Hector gets a second opinion from Max. Mulan confirms that the spherical ordinance is more powerful than Terran thermonuclear weapons and that their controls have been modified for human use.

Max notes that the smuggled cargo could have been very lucrative, but Lt.Cmdr. Reese has communications officer Lt. Harry “Monty Hall” Takahari Jr. send an urgent warning to fleet headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. He also expresses interest in catching up with slower-than-light generation colony ships headed in the direction of Zarkonian-controlled space.

After some discussion over drinks, Capt. Jasmine and her crew agree to transfer the three shipping containers of zero-point devices to the Dauntless. Kevin offers a letter of marque, ship upgrades in the Asteroid Belt, and to personally accompany them.

Bold Kevin and Jasmine carefully maneuver the Pina Colada, while Lt. Wynona Smoketrail, a Delphine (“Uplifted” dolphin) pilot who once raced “Aughest-vor…” [Jason E.R.], brings the Dauntless about. They then transfer the containers.

Hector meets privately with Max and later coordinates communications to Earth with Lt. Takahari. Lt.Cmdr. Reese reports to Col. Shan Gray, his superior at Interplanetary Patrol. Kevin also promotes Cmdr. Cain to acting captain of the Dauntless and takes leave so that he can travel on the Pina Colada.

The Dauntless, Tigress, and Catspaw head back to the inner Sol system, as the crews of the Blackbird and Pina Colada review their capabilities and potential destinations….

Welcome, Bruce, to the teleconferencing version of “Vortex!” Our group’s move from the Gryphon to the Pina Colada and Blackbird feels like a new chapter (or TV season) in our continuing adventures! Good luck as your sort out crews and missions.

I’ll post on the Google Groups board the specifics on advancing your characters and refitting your ships. Note that while certain roles are essential to both starships — such as pilot/astrogation and engineering — you can have some specialties and overlap.

Dexter, I hope that you’ll be able to join us soon. In the meantime, I also look forward to upcoming sessions of our other games in 2013:

my “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus,” using the Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game
Josh’s “A New Beginning: Mystic Adventures in the ‘Big D,’” using FATE 3e Dresden Files
Jason’s “Barsoomian Adventures: the Tenth Ray of Mars,” using Savage Worlds
Bruce’s “Hyborian Age,” D20 Conan using Pathfinder

Happy gaming! -Gene

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JAN/2013

"Vortex" Telecom Update 5c.18

Bombs, bionics, and booty

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.18 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 9 December 2012. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 3 (5c) telecom Player Characters, crew of the Gryphon, as of autumn 2012:

“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A.]-male Latin American Terran human, former spy and communications expert/engineer of the Appomattox and Gryphon/Pina Colada

“Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F.]-female Martian Felinoid (Synth, “Uplifted” tiger), former professional pit fighter and onetime crewmember of the Appomattox, now apart from the grifters in “MarSoupAiL” with boyfriend Darcy

“Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran human cyborg, former sniper for the North American Aerospace Marine Corps. and eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.; onetime crewmember of the scout ship Blackbird

“Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C.]-male Pomuyan [blue humanoid alien] outcast, irrepressible mystic and adrenaline junkie; with mentor Vovestomosanehe

“Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O.]-male Indian Terran “near-human” (bioengineered) xenobiologist, shadowed by scandal and confident in survival skills; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

“Jax” [Robin H./absent]-male human from the Asteroid Belt, vain space pirate and pilot of the Slipstream

“Jim Delaney” [Robert A.S./absent]-male Terran “near-human” gambler and psi encountered on Mars

Bombs, bionics, and booty

“9 to 11 May 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” After a confrontation with pirates and the Interplanetary Patrol (I.P.) over a smuggled cargo of zero-point munitions, the crew of the Gryphon retreats to the outer Sol system to consider its next moves.

Capt. Jasmine parks the ship in the Oort Cloud. The feline “Synth” also recommends changing the vessel’s name in the hope of evading former pilot Jax on the Slipstream, pirates from the Satan’s Strumpet, and the I.P. ship Steel Sanguinis.

Hector Chavez empties an account used by Jax and other traders and donates money to the “Belter Gentrification League.” Chris McKee wants to continue interrogating Timothy Dugan, a former colleague at Black Box Security Co. caught trying to stow away.

Orion Starchaser tells his mentor, fellow Pomuyan Vovestomosanehe, about his plans to visit Earth to find out why the Cheyenne tribe of Native Americans uses their language, Namid. Orion’s teacher announces his intention to leave to find out more about humanity.

Dr. Srinu Pahul reminds his companions of stolen treasure from the Vatican Museums, but Hector notes that they have a more immediate concern — the alien explosives. The former spy scans the three containers obtained from the Satan’s Strumpet and finds 60 spheres with zero-point devices.

The wanderers try to discreetly find trustworthy recipients for the weapons of mass destruction that they were smuggling to Earth. They agree to hide a few for themselves. Hector contacts onetime handler Max(ine) and asks her to meet him at a neutral location in space.

Chris sends a message to “Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.], a former crewmate on the Blackbird and commander of a Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.) task force responsible for long-range homeworld security.

Jasmine rechristens the Gryphon as the “Pina Colada,” and Hector changes the yacht’s transponder codes and registry. They hope to eventually install an Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) database into the ship’s computer.

At Chris’ request, Dr. Pahul instructs robot nurse MEGAN to awaken Dugan. Chris and Orion repeat their offer to free the would-be assassin from his Black Box cyberware and mental conditioning. Dugan asks “Agent Prometheus” and Srinu why they have turned from the belief in humanity’s destiny to perfect itself and spread out among the stars.

The sniper and doctor reply that they still hope for Terrans to reach their potential, but not at the cost of billions of supposedly “unworthy” lives. Orion notes that there are many wonders yet to behold and that inner peace is at least as important as striving for a more highly evolved state.

Dugan reluctantly consents to go under the knife, and Srinu and MEGAN begin preparing an escape pod to serve as a surgical theater. Orion agrees to go along to psychically operate, while Capt. Jasmine and engineer Hector monitor from the “Pina Colada’s” bridge.

Dr. Pahul and MEGAN remove Dugan’s cranial implants, including a transmitter and a small explosive that Agent Prometheus warns them about. Shortly thereafter, Orion uses telepathy to enter Timothy’s mind. Hector and Srinu monitor this instance of psionic contact.

Orion finds himself in a shadowy landscape, blocked by a dark figure [Josh/Non-Player Character] representing Dugan’s Black Box training. The blue-furred alien is then surrounded by numerous Men In Black [Byron/N.P.C.], avatars of Chris and Dugan’s brothers in arms.

Dueling explosions in the dreamscape give way to a kindly woman whom Orion believes might be Timothy’s mother [Sara/N.P.C.]. He and the dark figure sit on either side of the woman, who grants access to what looks like a control room.

Orion uses the virtual monitors to piece together fragmented memories. The mystic isn’t able to completely heal Timothy’s scarred psyche in the time alotted in the capsule, but Orion reassures Chris and Srinu that he should be on the road to independence from Black Box.

Jasmine retrieves the medical pod, and MEGAN escorts Dugan to a secure cabin. Chris recommends going to Epsilon Eridani to retrieve the Vatican relics as soon as possible. Hector reviews the ship’s engines and internal security, while Orion rests and trains with Vovestomosanehe in the swimming pool.

Srinu learns of Dr. Martha Liao, a xenobiologist on Earth who would likely be interested in the data on the Zurmiz Krott (Zarkonian biomechanical probes). The closet ship of the Union of Solar Nations is the Kestrel, commanded by Lt. Hardin.

Capt. Jasmine puts on a new uniform, sends her boyfriend Darcy a warning to look out for Jax and slavers in the Asteroid Belt, and sets a course back to the inner system….

Please remember that we’ll be skipping the next two Sundays because of the holidays, but I expect the “Vortex” virtual sessions to resume on Dec. 30. Also, note that Bruce may make a cameo, Dexter has expressed interest in rejoining the telecom group, and Byron hopes to visit the Boston area in January!

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing some of you for The Hobbit [Part 1 of 3]: An Unexpected Journey and upcoming “Vanished Lands” and “Mystic Adventures in the ‘Big D’” games. May all your holidays be happy, -Gene

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DEC/2012

Vortex Sessions 5c.14 to 17

Belters and breaking up

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Sessions 5c.14 to 17 of the “Vortex: the Gryphon” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sundays in November 2012. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 3 (5c) telecom Player Characters, crew of the Gryphon, as of autumn 2012:

" Hector Chavez " [Beruk A.]-male Latin American Terran human, former spy and communications expert/engineer of the Appomattox and Gryphon

" Jasmine " [Sara F.]-female Martian Felinoid (Synth, “Uplifted” tiger), former professional pit fighter and onetime crewmember of the Appomattox, now apart from the grifters in “MarSoupAiL” with boyfriend Darcy

" Chris McKee / Agent Prometheus " [Josh C.]-male Terran human cyborg, former sniper for the North American Aerospace Marine Corps. and eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.; onetime crewmember of the scout ship Blackbird

" Orion Starchaser " [Geoff C.]-male [blue humanoid alien] outcast, irrepressible mystic and adrenaline junkie

" Dr. Srinu Pahul " [Byron V.O.]-male Indian Terran “near-human” (bioengineered) xenobiologist, shadowed by scandal and confident in survival skills

" Jax " [Robin H.]-male human from the Asteroid Belt, vain space pirate and pilot of the Slipstream and Gryphon

" Jim Delaney " [Robert A.S./absent]-male Terran “near-human” gambler and psi

Belters and breaking up

“8 April to 8 May 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” After meeting at New Gdansk in Earth orbit and visiting the Mars Confederacy, the crew of the Gryphon got involved in intrigues around Mars before heading to the Jovian Commonwealth.

The yacht then traveled from Jupiter’s moons to New Kansas, Jax’s home colony in the Asteroid Belt. Hector Chavez, Jasmine, and Jax visit the pilot’s family, who turn out to be prosperous merchants. Jax’s real name is Eugene Plaf, and his parents are Beauford and Martha.

Jax is surprised to find wealthy groupie Cassandra with his parents. She apparently learned his whereabouts from friend Bonnie Kawagura in the Jovian system. Engineer Hector is more interested in acquiring enhancements for the ship.

Still paranoid after various encounters on Mars, sniper Chris McKee stays aboard the Gryphon with Dr. Srinu Pahul, Orion Starchaser, and Darcy. Orion telepathically senses a familiar presence nearby.

In space dock, another blue-furred alien named Vovéstomósanéhe asks to come aboard to help his student find enlightenment. Chris grants permission but calls the others back to the ship. Orion isn’t thrilled to see his exasperated mentor, and Jax is even less pleased to be around two extraterrestrial mystics.

Jasmine and Darcy catch up on rest, while Dr. Pahul tinkers with his robots MEGAN and PEPE. Hector and Chris contact trader Wilfred about military-grade gear. Orion and Vovéstomósanéhe go to train in the Gryphon swimming pool.

Jax hangs out at a dive bar with Cassandra and learns that the Black Pearl II, an infamous pirate ship, has been in a firefight nearby [apologies to Pirates of the Caribbean. Jax hopes to take control of a larger vessel and build his reputation as the “best damn space pilot in the galaxy.”

Srinu plans to deliver his report on the threat of Zarkonian probes to the Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.). He later tells Hector and Chris that he has heard that the U.S.N. has had a falling out with Black Box Security Co. and that Sen. Francis Xavier Joseph is a Belter civilian friendly to the military and intelligence services.

Hector also learns from onetime rival Annamaria Balzana that the Musashi battle group is stationed in the Asteroid Belt and is commanded by Adm. Raul Xinshang. Jax’s associates may not want to deal with the navy, but others aboard the Gryphon may want to.

Sometime later, Hector, Chris, and Srinu meet with Beuford and Wilfred in New Kansas. Over glasses of vodka, they discuss trading favors for technology. Hector and Chris agree to find out about potential U.S.N. buyers in return for armored space suits [which can absorb up to 3 consequences each].

Dr. Pahul can’t afford the autodoc he wants, so he turns his attention to a replacement surgery theater that can be ejected in an escape pod. Srinu had used a previous version to examine the nanites (microscopic robots) emitted by the Zurmiz Krott/Harbingers of the Righteous Order of Submission.

Hector reminds Srinu of related investigations into mysterious murders near Jupiter and of Chris’ desire to catch up with slower-than-light generation ships headed in the direction of Zarkonian-controlled space.

Darcy tells Jasmine that he needs time to himself to explore and help the Synth Liberation Front. The “Uplifted” tiger is upset, but she lets her boyfriend leave. Orion takes a break from his martial arts practice to console Jasmine. He also recommends that she go after Darcy to make sure he knows what he’s doing.

Jax stays at the “Soggy Bottom” pub late until barkeep Leonard ejects him [apologies to O Brother, Where Art Thou?]. In an alley, Jax runs into a crewman he recognizes from the “Satan’s Strumpet” who tried to board the Gryphon back at Jupiter. The pirate draws a khukri, but Jax readies a rifle.

The spacemen are joined by three more toughs, who escort Jax to Capt. Vijay Bhaghwandra. After some pleasantries and posturing, the captain offers Jax a cargo to smuggle from the Asteroid Belt to Earth, since the Satan’s Strumpet is still being repaired. Jax agrees to a share of the profits.

Jasmine enlists the aid of her crewmates in searching for Darcy. The Synth gets a whiff of reptilian scent at a turbolift, possibly from Martian crocolisks or alien Ru’ulok. The group follows the trail to a crowded lounge, where they learn that wayward Darcy is about to board a transport leaving the Sol system!

Hector hacks into the station’s systems to delay departures from Dock 7, while Srinu claims a medical quarantine to apprehend Darcy. The humans also find a bug on him, so Hector hacks the computers of the Anaconda.

The former spy studies the ship’s passenger manifests and finds entries for Darcy and Kraythor, a notable Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) among the “Takers.” Hector also plants a virus in the _Anaconda_’s systems.

Hitchhiker Orion happily studies the Terrans in the lounge as Jasmine tells Darcy that he’s free to go, just not with Ru’ulok pirates. Chris warns the Felinoid to beware of alien slavers such as the slug-like Encegulans. On the Slipstream, Jax recognizes the heavily armored and damaged Black Pearl II float by.

When the Gryphon ’s crew decides against attacking a large frigate, Jax makes a counteroffer of a “milk run” to Earth. The others agree on the condition of meeting Capt. Bhaghwandra themselves.

At the Satan’s Strumpet — reregistered as the “Mellow Cutter” — Jax, Hector, Chris, Jasmine, and Darcy learn of the sizable payment they’d receive for smuggling “Jovian kumquats” to Earth. Capt. Bhaghwandra says that they’re to deliver the cargo to Col. Pyotr Tsilovich, a rising star in Slavic League, at the Baikonur Spaceport. Hector later checks references with his former handler Max on Earth.

Jax makes preparations to take the cargo in a ship-to-ship transfer away from New Kansas. Hector learns from Annamaria that his former companions from the Appomattox have regained faster-than-light capability and are likely heading after the Vatican treasure hidden near Epsilon Eridani.

Jasmine keeps watch after Darcy leaves, while Jax tells his parents and Cassandra that he’ll return soon. When the Gryphon is hailed by Lt. Clark Faddil of the Interplanetary Patrol ship Pinkerton as it passes, Chris decides to disguise himself as a neohippie.

During the zero-G container transfer, Chris recognizes one of the men from the Satan’s Strumpet as Timothy Dugan, a former colleague at Black Box Security Co. The sniper isn’t happy to find Dugan trying to stow away on the Gryphon so that he can report back to Earth.

Hector talks Jax out of shooting Dugan, whom Chris hopes to rehabilitate as he was by the crew of the " Blackbird ." “Agent Prometheus” puts Dugan in the brig and asks Dr. Pahul and Orion to remove the conditioning left by the eugenicists at Black Box. Vovéstomósanéhe also agrees to help. Jasmine guards Dugan, as Srinu prepares to operate to remove his cybernetic implants.

Sometime after leaving the Satan’s Strumpet and New Kansas, Orion and Hector decide to investigate the cargo. Scans indicate that it’s denser and requires more power than mere refrigeration of Jovian kumquats.

The boxes contain heavily shielded spheres of alien technology with an external interface for Terrans. They are zero-point explosives, more powerful than thermonuclear bombs! Hector, Srinu, and Chris are horrified to be bringing weapons of mass destruction back to factionalized Earth.

The crew and passengers on the Gryphon notice a shift in its artificial gravity and inertial dampeners. Rather than take a Terran day to smuggle the goods, Jax has taken the ship out of the ecliptic plane and jumped through faster-than-light Transit, cutting the travel time to mere hours!

Surprised, Hector locks down the yacht’s controls and informs his companions that they’re in Earth orbit. He had hoped to study the zero-point devices and question Dugan further. Jax puts on a space suit and heads to the cargo bay, as do Chris, Orion, and Vovestomosanehe.

In the cargo bay, Jasmine asks Jax what he’s doing. The Belter pilot tells the onetime wrestler that he wants to make sure that delivery and payment occur without further interference. Chris arrives and shoots at Jax for a second time!

Tiger-woman Jasmine steps between her shipmates, while Orion helps deflect the blast. Hector takes the gun from Chris and asks him to stand down. Srinu goes to the empty bridge, sees the scuffle on internal monitors, and orders MEGAN to ready stunning strobe lights and anesthetizing gas.

Jax is furious to be shot at again by Chris, and burly Jasmine yells at everyone to stop fighting. Hector suggests that Jasmine be nominal captain. Jax heads to the hangar bay, while the others prevent Chris from following. Orion talks with Dugan but is initially unable to determine whether his allegiances have turned from Black Box.

Hector releases the launch controls, allowing Jax to leave in the " Slipstream ." Srinu asks Jasmine to take control of the _Gryphon_’s guns, since he doesn’t trust Chris (who is also worried about Dugan) not to fire. Dr. Pahul also scans the ships for loose nanites, since the Zurmiz Krott could induce insanity in Terrans, but he finds none.

Cmdr. Alfonso Balaz of the U.E.V. Steel Sanguinis hails the Gryphon and asks to come aboard because of reports of smuggling. Capt. Jasmine and company realize that Jax has told Interplanetary Patrol about their cargo and prisoner, but they reluctantly grant permission.

Chris, Orion, and Vovestomosanehe go to the pool/hydroponics garden. At Dr. Pahul’s instruction, MEGAN knocks out Dugan with an injection. Hector goes to the cargo bay to watch the officers’ inspection. Jax brings the Slipstream about, cornering the " Gryphon ."

Cmdr. Balaz and his assistants scan the cargo and unconscious Dugan. At Hector and Jasmine’s request, Srinu, Orion, and Vovestomosanehe lead the patrolmen to the _Gryphon_’s conference room and erase their short-term memories with a combination of drugs and psionics.

Jasmine escorts the groggy officers back to the Steel Sanguinis, and Chris goes to the turret. Hector undocks, and Dr. Pahul returns to the bridge. Orion uses his telepathy to distract Jax as Srinu takes the Gryphon on a blind Transit jump to the edge of the Sol system.

Although they have escaped Interplanetary Patrol scrutiny and various pirates, the explorers aboard the Gryphon still have a hot cargo and need to report to various authorities on Earth….

While “Jim Delaney,” “Jax,” and “Darcy” have left, there are still lots of adventures for the Gryphon in the “Vortex” universe. See my other posts regarding advancement (7 aspects, 30 skill points, and 10 refresh).

I look forward to seeing most of our group virtually tonight, as well as to continuing Josh’s “A New Beginning: Mystic Adventures in the ‘Big D’” and my face-to-face “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” games.

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DEC/2012

At Jovian Commonwealth

For the crew of the Gryphon

At Jupiter (after Session 5c.12, 14 October 2012/“1 to 3 April 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 T.G.E.”)

Fellow role-players, I hope that you enjoyed Session 12 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera. I thought we had some great scenes, from “Orion” wielding his plasma sword as “Srinu” steered their underwater sled around ice to evade Ru’ulok pursuit, to “Jax” and company taking the “Gryphon” into the Europan ocean, and “Chris” finally getting to use his Salvorain trident (Damage +6, Range 2) on a tentacled horror!

Please note that each of your Player Characters should now have the following:

Aspects: 7 — High Concept, Foibles, Starting Out, Sidetracked, Guest Star, Motivation, Adventuring
Skill points: 28 total, with a pyramid of one or two Great ( +4, apex), two or more at Good ( +3), three or more at Fair ( +2), and four or more at Average ( +1). Remember that you can also rearrange existing skills.
Refresh: 10 — I recommend no more than six stunts, which would leave 4 Fate points to use per session.

You should be able to find options in Starblazer Adventures, Mindjammer, and Bulldogs, as well as other FATE-based games, such as Legends of Anglerre or Dresden Files. Please update your records on the Obsidian Portal wiki and let me know about any questions or changes.

As I put together my notes from our game, here’s a list of some Non-Player Characters that you may find helpful.

Max(ine): female Terran human “fixer,” onetime handler of former spy and engineer Hector Chavez [Beruk A.]
Alejandro Merton: male Jovian human, held in Tarterus Prison for the serial murder of 12 people, possibly connected to the Harbingers of the Righteous Order of Submission (see also below)
Ribber: disembodied Jovian “Synth” (Artificial Intelligence) driven insane after surviving a mining accident on Io that left strangely mangled bodies; possibly also connected to the Zurmiz Krott
Annamaria Balzana: female L-5 human, special operative and onetime rival of Hector and Max now at Jupiter
Darcy: male Martian felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” or bioengineered humanoid tiger), boyfriend of former wrestler Jasmine [Sara F.] and crew member aboard the Gryphon
Sal: male Martian? former trainer of Jasmine
Olun Gor: male Martian Garth (“Uplifted” gorilla) in the Synth Liberation Front on Mars, asked Jasmine for help retrieving three comrades from the United Ecumenical Movement’s temples on Phobos, but Andrei Dyashenko, Meson, and Zara turned out to be held for atavism treatments
Tabitha Hanahi: female Jovian felinoid (lynx-like) Synth, associate of Jasmine met at the “Barbed Ring” in Elysium, the orbital capital of the Jovian Commonwealth ; flirted with Darcy
Shortwave and Quickfin: Jovian Delphines (“Uplifted” cetaceans) referred to Jasmine by Tabitha; left note for rendezvous at Liberation Plaza in Elysium arranging to meet at clock tower at midnight local time
Asdann Fre’vel: female Gustrall (antlered, orange-furred, raptor-like alien) guard at the Hadriaca Paterna terraforming plant on Mars, friend of sniper Chris McKee [Josh C.]
Lt. Brock Ellis: male Jovian human, former colleague of “Agent Prometheus” at Black Box Security Co.; Chris planning to meet at “Tazer’s Tavern” in Port Edillon
Unnamed maintenance robot: watched Jasmine and Chris at Liberation Plaza in Elysium during abortive meeting with Delphines
Unnamed human woman: watched Jasmine and “Agent Prometheus” at Liberation Plaza
Cassandra: female Terran human, wealthy (and unwanted) fan of pilot Jax [Robin H.]
Will Kleparn: male Saturnian human, infamous pirate and captain of the Silver Sail ; associate of Jax at the “Floating Cove” on the moon Ganymede
Bonnie Kawagura: female L-5 human, friend of Cassandra and Jax in the Jovian system
Fr. Dante Quinn: male Terran human, Orthodox Roman Catholic priest met by alien wanderer Orion Starchaser [Geoff C.] at U.E.M. temples on Phobos
Angirosa: male Jovian “near-human,” crew member and psi aboard the Satan’s Strumpet , communicated with Orion
Sister Sudra Owens: female Belter human, U.E.M. chaplain at the Jovian Commonwealth
Zurmiz Krott/Harbingers of the Righteous Order of Submission: biomechanical probes of the Zarkonian Armada, emit nanites and can induce cannibalistic madness in Terrans, as the crews of the Blackbird , Appomattox , and Gryphon learned; subject of study results collected by Dr. Srinu Pahul [Byron V.O.]
Jim Delaney [Robert A.S.]-male Terran “near-human” technomantic gambler; left on Mars
MEGAN (Medical Emergency and Group Assistance Synthetic Nurse)-sexy robot aide to Dr. Pahul in the Gryphon ’s sickbay/biolab
PEPE (Personal Executive Prototype, Version E)-non-sentient robotic butler of Dr. Pahul aboard the Gryphon
Lt.Cmdr. Hiroshi Mbenge: male Jovian human, Union of Solar Nations officer aboard the U.S.V. Larabie, to be contacted by Srinu and Chris
Sarbonne: Trinoid (trilateral amphibious alien) xenobiologist at Cassini University in Elysium near Jupiter, to be contacted by Dr. Pahul about the Zurmiz Krott research
Garvin Cho and Melissa Jones: Terran humans, doctors at the Crimson Cloud Hospital near Jupiter
Unnamed Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) pirates: four killed after pursuing Orion and Srinu on sleds on Europa
Europan kraken: tentacled life form in the ocean of Jupiter’s moon
Murchem: Encegulan (slug-like alien) slaver, captain of the Round Hole; went down with the ship

Vehicles: The Gryphon, Slipstream, and

Sea Cloud : yacht of Maria Chan, whose maneuver (slower-than-light) drives were swapped with those of the Gryphon at the Utopia Planitia shipyards near Mars
Satan’s Strumpet: pirate ship of Capt. Vijay Bhaghwandra; driven off on approach to Jupiter
Repulse: light frigate of the Jovian Defense Force
U.S.V. Cheetah: Union of Solar Nations Navy frigate near Jupiter, affiliated with the “George S. Patton” battle group
Faithful Starlight: Terran slower-than-light (STL) generation colony ship with religious zealot passengers, headed in the direction of Zarkonian intrusions
Nova Aquarius: Terran STL colony ship headed toward Zarkonian space, crewed by megacorp employees after first interplanetary war
Firebrand: Terran STL ship headed toward Zarkonian armada, crewed by a mix of colonists, including scientists; Hector recommended going to this one first
underwater sled (and scuba gear) rented by “Srinu” and “Orion” from Port Reagan on Europa
The Round Hole: space vessel/submarine with Ru’ulok and Encegulan crew, disabled on Europa by the Gryphon
U.S.V. Larabie, Interplanetary Patrol corvette commanded by Capt. Boris Agnovis and based out of Port Edillon (see also Lt.Cmdr. Hiroshi Mbenge above)

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DEC/2012