From "Atlas of the Mobius Vigil Sector"
as charted by Doran Valenus, Cartographer Primus
SILVANA (Coordinates H-7-6)
Silvana is the primary settlement on the world of Petrichor (population 7,367), a sub-tropical rainforest world orbiting Canopus, a yellow star. Petrichor is a stormy world, with heavy cloud cover and a monsoon season lasting nearly half of the year. It is overrun with countless species of flora and fauna. Silvana's primary occupation is agriculture, which requires felling large areas of the forest and contributing to a secondary lumber industry. Due to the abundance of native animals, hunting is also a commonplace, albeit often dangerous activity.
Most of Silvana's structures are fashioned from the wood and stone obtained from clearing farmland. Because of the extreme weather conditions, growing seasons are short and equipment requires frequent and heavy maintenance. Any advanced technology they require must be imported from neighboring worlds, though trade is infrequent in this sector.
[Begin a Session: (68) Key location is made unusable or becomes mired in conflict]
Breaker's Log - Day Eight
Dawn was breaking as the Scrounger touched down at the settlement. I landed amid a torrential rainstorm on a platform that appeared to be the stump of an enormous tree. The fighter settled next to us on the pad.
I stepped down the ramp, followed by Fran and JONES, who looked after her protectively. Flanked by the crew of the starfighter, a taller middle-aged woman swaggered toward us, clad in a poncho. Judging by the deferential attitude of her escort, it was clear that this individual was an influential member of the settlement.
We stood in the downpour as she sauntered toward the ship, assessing each of us carefully. There was something I didn't trust about this woman, and she hadn't even said a word yet.
"Sor and young Sirah," she said in the most condescending manner possible, "I am Doctor Luna Jeffries, Director of Project Plowshare and Administrator of Silvana. And who might you be, Sor?"
I was not about to be intimidated or belittled by some rainforest farmer, no matter what title she claimed. "My name is Blake. I am the Union representative from Ramshackle on Mirage."
[Secure an Advantage: +Heart, 1+2 vs 6/8. Miss. Pay the Price (05: You encounter signs of a looming threat)]
Jeffries burst into laughter. "Ramshackle?" she asked, incredulously. "Gentlemen, we have a union representative from Ramshackle among us! Where are my manners, Sor, I'd have rolled out the red carpet had I known."
This arrogant gratch was really starting to get under my skin, but I was not going to give her the satisfaction of rising to the bait. I took a moment to calm myself, looking around at everything but her.
[Gather Information: +Wits, 1+4 vs 2/5. Weak Hit. +1 Momentum (6)]
While the local structures appeared to be well-constructed buildings of wood and stone, the mechanical equipment appeared to be in no better condition than what we had back home. No doubt the extreme weather and lack of specialized expertise took its toll upon any exposed equipment.
"I thank you for the consideration, Doctor Jeffries," I said to her. "Surely you are familiar with my settlement, as it would appear that much of your equipment is of... ramshackle construction. Thankfully, ours is a union of mechanical engineers, and it would appear my arrival is not a moment too soon."
I could see the flash of anger in her eyes as she caught the drift of my retort. She could hardly condescend to a grub when her own equipment looked to be salvage. I had to maintain the initiative. "Now, Doctor, if you don't mind, let us retire to a more sheltered location, and we can discuss what I can do to help you here."
[Compel: +Iron, 2+3 vs 2/9. Weak Hit. +1 Momentum (7)]
"Very well," she said, curtly. "This way." I could tell that I was not making a friend in her. We were led to an office in a building near the landing pad. Fran looked miserable and had begun to shiver. Jeffries took a seat behind a large wooden desk near a fireplace. I nudged Fran toward the hearth to warm up. JONES waited dutifully in the corner as I sat down on the other side of the desk, dripping water all over the floor.
"Well, then, Sor Blake. My colleagues notified me that you are here to trade?" she asked. "How is it that your settlement and mine might be of help to each other?"
"Doctor Jeffries, I have been sent on a trade mission to obtain supplies necessary to the survival of our colony. Mirage, as you surely know, is a desert world. We are not blessed with this abundance of precipitation, nor the abundance of plant life that graces your world. We are in need of lumber, seed and growing apparatus for crops, clean water, and textiles."
"As you have no doubt discerned," Jeffries said haughtily, "these are all things that Petrichor has in abundance. However, I am uncertain what a ramshackle... colony on a desert world might have to offer us in return."
I regarded her with a grin. "What we have to offer, Doctor, is technical proficiency. I bring a cargo of machine parts and components, but more importantly my own expertise and that of my utility bot. I couldn't help but notice the detrimental effect that the climate has upon your equipment. These environmental conditions necessitate frequent maintenance by skilled personnel, who appear to be in short supply here."
I could see that I had her attention as I continued. "I am prepared to offer not only the components and labor to repair your equipment, but also to train your designated apprentices to maintain it after my departure. That is, of course, presuming that you are capable of fulfilling this order?"
[Compel: +Heart, 5+2 vs 3/9. Weak Hit. +1 Momentum (8)]
I swiped the manifest from my handcomp to her desk terminal. She reviewed the list, nodding appreciatively. "I believe we can meet your needs, Sor Blake, though the operation of our Project has other material requirements that your colony would be unable to provide. Perhaps we can do business, if you would be amenable to carrying out a trade mission for us as well?"
[Make a Connection (Dr. Jeffries, Dangerous): +Heart, 6+2 vs 3/3. Strong Hit with a Match. +1 Momentum (9)]
As I considered her counter-offer, she continued. "If you are able to do so, the Project could spare a small staff of skilled agricultural technicians to visit your settlement to aid in the development of your farming output?"
I knew that Old Jin would want me to take advantage of such an opportunity, regardless of what they might ask in return. "By my grandfather's wrench, Doctor Jeffries, I will carry out your trade mission."
[Swear an Iron Vow "Complete trade mission for Silvana" (Dangerous): +Heart, +1 for Connection. 3+2+1 vs 2/5. Strong Hit. +1 Momentum (10)]
[Develop Your Relationship: +2 boxes (2)]
[End a Session: What will Dr. Jeffries ask in return for the supplies Ramshackle needs? We will find out in the next episode!]