AVASTAN, DISTRICT 268 (Day 13)
Eldon reminds the crew that Rowri's Baronial Guard has no jurisdiction within the Starport's extrality boundary, so their best option is to remain in the Starport when they return to Inchin. They can travel under the pretense of contractors from Collace, and as there were no survivors of the gunfight at their initial meeting with Barnett, the Baronial Guard should not recognize any of them in particular.
The difficulty will come from finding a way to invite Barnett to meet them within the starport, without alerting either the Baronial Guard or Imperial Naval Intelligence, both of whom may have Barnett under surveillance.
Roll to find a ship going to Inchin: (11) Other large cargo ship (up to 800 tons)
Is it the Roebuck? (1) No, and, and...
While Eldon tries to locate passage, Kellan searches the WorldNet to find any information on the mysterious freighter Roebuck that they encountered on their way in to Avastan.
Investigate/EDU, 8+ : (9)
He discovers that the Long Subsidized Merchant vessel Roebuck vanished with all hands several months ago, and the ship was believed to have misjumped. There are numerous skeptics and conspiracy theorists that either disbelieve that Roebuck ever existed, or doubt that it suffered an unfortunate fate, or believe that perhaps that this was sabotage or other deliberate act.
Eldon returns to the hostel and announces that they have booked passage on the Maru-class Standard Merchant ship Chrysanthemum, due to depart that evening.
NPC reaction: Neutral
Roll for working passage: Skill/EDU, 10+
Justan (Pilot) 14; Kellan (Medic) 14; Serina (Engineer) 10; Eldon (Broker) 13
Captain Wesley Hopkins has agreed to take on the entire crew for working passage, but they will be required to share double-occupancy staterooms so that he can take on more paying passengers. Eldon has already assisted Hopkins in finding cargo and passengers bound for Inchin, most of whom are legitimate contract workers from Collace. Katha will pay for her own private Middle Passage cabin.
Starport Encounter: (56) Meet one of your contacts. Ruling that this designates Katha Miray as one of Eldon's available contacts.
Starship Encounter: (4) None; no Piracy Warnings
Crew Reaction roll: (11) No issues
Passenger Ship Event: (63) Crewman has crisis of doubt.
Kellan is working in the sickbay when one of the vessel's gunners comes in. He is visibly shaken and fearful.
Counseling: Medic/SOC, 8+ : (9)
Does this have to do with the Roebuck? (20) Yes, and, and...
Did the gunner know a member of Roebuck's crew? (4) No, and...
The gunner explains that he has recently encountered the "ghost ship" that people have been speaking of recently. On a previous voyage, the ship was seen following a standard course, but comms were silent, all running lights were off, and life support was powered down. He fears that this was the act of pirates... or worse?
Kellan recommends that the crewman be given a few days to rest. Captain Hopkins is disinclined to accommodate the request. Justan offers to cover for the gunner if needed.
Gunnery/SOC, 8+ : (9)
Hopkins agrees to allow Justan to sit the gunner's watch shifts, but expects Justan to still report for his agreed-upon shifts at the helm.
INCHIN, DISTRICT 268 (Day 20)
Starship Encounter: (10) Small Transport, (12) Small Craft (Industrial/Science)
Is it a Ship's Boat? (13) Yes, but...
Inbound to Inchin, the Chrysanthemum encounters a 30-ton Ship's Boat, whose registry matches a ship that went missing last year. Justan urges the Captain to investigate further, but Hopkins is worried about his deadlines and directs Justan to maintain course to the downport.
Starport Encounter: (64) Nothing out of the ordinary.
Eldon locates lodging at the hostel within the starport. Though there is little to choose from, the accommodations are at least equal to the hotel they stayed at in the city two weeks ago.
Justan sends Arlor Barnett a telegram:
"I got the news/
No hostile feelings on my part/
Sincerely,
Just An old friend from the Academy"
"Won't that tip them off?" Eldon asks. "Neither of us went to the Academy," Justan explains. "Then how will he know this is legitimate?" Eldon asks. "Because my name is right there on the last line. Barnett is sharp. That's why he was my Executive Officer. He should know exactly what I meant."
Does Arlor understand the hidden meaning in the message? Recon/INT, 8+ : (10)
DAY 14
In the morning, Justan receives a message from the front desk that he is invited to an interview in the hostel's small conference room. He is confident that his old friend understood the message, but prepares with caution.
Recon/INT, 8+ : (8) No surveillance or ambush detected
Computers/INT, 10+ : (12) No bugs detected.
Confident that the room is secure, Justan calls the rest of them into the room to await Barnett. At exactly the appointed time, Barnett enters the room. As before, his military bearing and demeanor cannot be concealed by a business suit.
"Justan, old friend, glad to see you made it," Arlor says warmly. "But I admit I'm surprised to see you here, Miss Miray. Was this the safest course of action?"
"Your insurance policy is safely in place," Katha reassures him. "But this is something that I felt was best and safest for you to see for yourself,"
She inserts a wafer into her portable computer and shares the information to their hand terminals. It is further material from the Ad Astra investigation.
Do they learn why the Ad Astra opened fire on the Yukon? (18) Yes, and...
Do they know the gunner's identity? (10) Maybe.
"The gunner was a new recruit, and apparently obtained his posting because of his noble connections. When his father learned that the investigation would destroy the family's reputation, he pressured the Navy to whitewash the investigation. It's why Justan was quietly cashiered and you were promoted to your own command."
Can Arlor get the roster of the crew who were aboard during the incident? (2) No, and...
"Unfortunately," Barnett says, "If I tried to call up the crew roster, it would certainly flag the search for Naval Intelligence. Were you unable to obtain the name through your channels?"
Would Katha have been able to access the crew roster? (6) No, but...
"I'm sorry, Arlor. That information was classified and my sources didn't provide it. Can either of you recall the names of the crew members at that time?"
Leadership/INT, 10+ : (13)
Justan begins to rattle off the list of gunners posted to Ad Astra on its final patrol, and Eldon drops his coffee mug in shock. "I know that man," he says, a look of shock and surprise upon his face.
* * *