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| (Image courtesy of Valentine Collino) |
[Begin a Session: (16) Flashback reveals an aspect of another character, place, or faction. +1 Momentum]
Two months had passed since the crash of the shuttle. There was still no sign of the Captain. They had tried to hail her using the communication equipment at the colony starter but there was never a response. The Scrounger's distress beacon had not been activated. They could only presume that she was dead.
Hunter, Pearson and Finn had spent their days establishing a modest settlement with the supplies that had been dropped. They were living in cargo containers, but they had enough food and power to survive. Winter's leg had healed, but she still was unable to do any strenuous work. Pearson, the group's medic, told the others that Hunter was expecting twins.
The harsh desert was no place for children to be born. It would be different if they had been able to dismantle the Dead Reckoning, and build a small city with the guidance of Animus. But the ship and its controlling intellect were as absent and unresponsive as the Captain.
They were a tribe of four - soon to be six. If their little outpost managed to survive, they might number a hundred or more... in a century or two. Right now, making it through each new day was their only concern.
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| (Image courtesy of Nellie Norton) |
[Breaker spends his accumulated 8 XP to upgrade the following assets: Second ability in Gearhead, second ability in Utility Bot, and second & third abilities in Scavenger. 0 XP remaining.]
Breaker's Log - Day 34
[Set a Course: +Supply, 6+4 vs 2/6. Strong Hit]
We returned safely to Petrichor, the remainder of the Project's order secure in the hold. As every time before, we passed through dense cloud cover and heavy rain storms on our way to the surface. When we landed, I headed over to the office to see Dr. Jeffries.
She greeted me cordially, for the first time in our working relationship. "Well, Captain, it would appear that you have followed through on your promise. I am somewhat concerned that a one-week mission took nearly four to resolve, but you have contributed considerably to our community in the meantime. Our machines are operating more efficiently, and you have done much to train a crew to maintain our equipment after your departure."
[Milestone on vow "Complete trade mission for Silvana": +2 boxes (10)]
[Fulfill Your Vow: 10 vs 2/8. Strong Hit. +2 ticks to Quests legacy track.]
[Resupply: +Heart, +Bond. 5+2+2 vs 5/8. Strong Hit. +1 Supply (5)]
[Milestone on Vow "Acquire resources for Ramshackle": +2 boxes (8)]
She glanced at her desk terminal, and nodded appreciatively. "My crew is presently unloading the chemicals from Thalassa and your machine parts. It appears that everything is complete as we negotiated. I am impressed. I must admit that you exceeded most of my expectations - excluding, of course, timely delivery. But I understand the mitigating circumstances, and I appreciate the lengths to which you have gone to ensure that future orders will be able to be fulfilled."
[Develop your Relationship: +2 boxes (8)]
[Forge a Bond: 8 vs 1/5. Strong Hit. +2 ticks to Bonds legacy track.]
She walked over to a sideboard and took two glasses and a bottle of amber liquid from it. She set them on the desk and poured a drink for both of us. Sitting back down, she raised her glass. "To CaptainBlake, and to future enterprises."
"I'll drink to that," I replied, clinking my glass to hers and downing my whiskey. Silvana had its own distillery and winery, crafting small batches for the enjoyment of Project staff. It was exceptional, and I told her so.
"When my team loads the requested materials onto your ship, I'll make sure you get a couple bottles of this," she said. "You and your sister will always be welcome at the Project. I would be pleased if you would both dine with me this evening. In the morning, the agricultural consultants will be ready to travel to Mirage with you.
"When their work is complete, I would appreciate if you could bring them back to Silvana. Hopefully by that time, we will be able to prepare a reagent to help your friends on Thalassa. Perhaps we could make another arrangement at that time."
* * *
The evening was pleasant - as with our first visit, the food was better than anything we had eaten elsewhere. I slept on the most comfortable bed, and showered with real, clean water.
When we returned to the landing pad in the morning, two agri-techs were waiting by the ship. They had a variety of cases, full of equipment and seed crops. Doctors Edris and Thorn would be staying in Ramshackle for a short time, to train Old Jin, Fran, and the rest of our farmers in more productive farming techniques. They would also assist me in building a larger and better greenhouse.
[Set a Course: +Supply, 2+5 vs 8/9. Burn Momentum (reset to 2). Strong Hit. +1 Momentum (3)]
We had to negotiate around the minor hazards I had encountered on my trip from Mirage four weeks ago, but we made it safely home. When I landed outside of Ramshackle (I would need to build a proper pad some day), people came running to greet me. Old Jin made her way slowly to the ship, and almost burst into tears when she saw Fran.
"Oh, child, whatever got into you?" she cried. "We thought we had lost you. I sent out search parties, and when we found nothing, our only hope was that you were with your brother. We're all so glad that you're both safe."
I introduced her to Doctors Edris and Thorn and explained their mission here. She offered what little hospitality Ramshackle could muster, and they were put up in the best accommodations we had - though the worst lodging in Silvana was surely better than anything we could offer,
The townsfolk helped me unload the supplies from the Scrounger, while Fran accompanied Old Jin back to the greenhouse. I was sure she would keep my little sister quite busy over the next few weeks - it might be a punishment, but it would also teach her valuable skills. Perhaps she would be inspired to return to Petrichor to learn when she was older.
[Milestone on Vow "Acquire resources for Ramshackle": +2 boxes (10)]
[Fulfill Your Vow: 10 vs 9/6. Strong Hit. +2 ticks to Quests legacy track. +2 XP (2)]
[Develop Your Relationship (Old Jin): +2 boxes (5)]
Later that evening, after an impromptu celebration at Moriarty's, Old Jin asked me to help her home. She invited me inside. On her table were hand-written log books, and survey maps of the area and the planet.
She gestured to the information laid out before us. "There is much here to learn from, Breaker. I will help you to understand what I have found."
[End a Session: Old Jin has discovered the ancient records of the survey team that founded their settlement. Is there anything that might help Breaker to locate the fabled shipwreck? +1 Momentum (4)]