Depths of Regina - Turn 1.1 - Return to Regina
On 04/21/6570, two months after the departure from Black Moon, ROCK came out of subspace at Regina JP. Within a day's travel from the jump point was the Regina jump station. While it was very convenient and filled with excellent facilities, the professor indicated it was unnecessary to stop. It would only be 7 more days to Regina.
To those familiar with the Regina system knew that it was actually a triple star system - the primary Lusor and its dwarf companion Speck form the major system, while dim Darida orbits at about 745 billion km distance. Regina is only one of seven worlds in the systems which boast a breathable atmosphere, and only one of four habitable planets in the life zone of Lusor, in orbit around the gas giant Assiniboia. With the best conditions of the group, it was settled first and soon dominated the system and subsector. Quickly establishing it as the subsector capital for the Imperium.
Professor Ricket indicated that ROCK would be docking on Regina Prime, the main orbital station over Regina. Two other orbitals also exist though they are primarily used for military and industrial purposes. The professor went on to explain that ROCK would be getting some upgrades and would be transferred shortly after docking. There would be no need for the group to hang around and assist with ROCK's docking process. Furthermore, the Rickets had already lined up an engagement within three hours of docking and would be departing immediately for Cape Goliath. The professor will leave his contact information with the group.
JACK: Jack reciprocates, and wishes them well. Once we have a more permanent plan/lodging he'll let them know where to find us if they need us.
With seven days remaining, the group finalizes their plans once they dock as the bustling planet of Regina awaits them. Several options are available as Surge displays the data on the planet and its primary orbital. The group can expect that the docking process and clearing customs will take under half an hour. Connecting to a shuttle to take them planetside will only take 2 more hours which makes staying on the orbital unnecessary.
VAMPERINA: Vamperina sighs. It's hard to believe that now, after years of steadfast purpose, she has arrived at Regina with no solid plans for the future. The group has talked, in vague terms, about setting up some sort of company so as to continue to work together. She brings the issue up again that evening at dinner.
VAMPERINA: "We talked about sticking together now that our mission is over but we really don't have any firm plans. I don't have anything new to add in that regard except to say that we could plan on establishing a firm goal of somehow acquiring a spaceship. We have a full crew for a spaceship and, if we have our own, we have a lot of options available."
VAMPERINA: "I would like to discuss the idea of a company is more concrete terms. To start with, we could start some sort of consulting company and look for jobs that one or more of us could do. As a company, we would have legitimacy and could work on offering valuable services to prospective employers. We would probably start out with small jobs and limited contracts but we could constantly keep our eyes open for a job that could employ the talents of our entire team."
VAMPERINA (OOC): Basically she is suggesting that we form a small company and, using Jack's contacts, people skills, and business experience, look for employment opportunities. Initially they might be small, but they won't be trivial and they won't be low paying. For example, maybe a large company needs a small medical staff for a limited assignment on a small mining colony somewhere. Jack could submit a bid to the company to have a licensed doctor (Kyle), paramedic (Vamperina) and assistant (someone else) fulfill the contract. A lot of the small jobs would just be handled as simple turns by the GM but we would be keeping our eyes open for something like "We've lost all communications with our research facility and need a team to go there and find out what happened." Initial operating costs would be rent on a small office building, a small computer network and maybe one or two salaried employees. Surge could obviously handle the imperial net "storefront" and cyber security. We would also want to pursue all licensing opportunities to lend credibility. Basically if you have a skill, or set of skills for which there would probably be a license, you should get it (i.e., licensed doctor, licensed paramedic). We wouldn't need to play it out. If you have a skill with a 13 or better, you can probably assume that you can easily get the license unless Marty disagrees.
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GM: Let me know what the group's preference is. Do you want to hang around on Regina Prime or go directly to Cape Goliath?
VAMPERINA: "I'm all for going straight to Cape Goliath. It's been years since I've been there and I look forward to seeing it again." (TECH: AK Cape Goliath on 11-)
JACK: I have no reason to want to hang around on Regina Prime, it's a nice place and all, but we've been in space plenty lately, and on Black Moon's orbital, it's actually been at least 2 months since my feet touched solid ground. If anyone wants to stay a couple days and sightsee I guess I have no real objection, though.
SURGE: Surge concurs with the others and wants to head straight for Cape Goliath.
KYLE: Kyle is fine with going to Cape Goliath.
MIDNIGHT: During the trip, Midnight would try to learn more about Regina (area and cultural skills both 11-). What's the mutant tolerance level in Regina? [rolled 13] [rolled 7]
GM: As Midnight explores information about Regina and Cape Goliath, he realizes that Surge is probably the best possible resource available. Surge lived in Cape Goliath for many years and learned a great deal about the city (AK: Cape Goliath 18-). When it comes to culture however Surge is not terribly knowledgeable and Midnight finds more on his own.
Midnight learns that mutant tolerance varies in different parts of Cape Goliath. In general Cape Goliath is a fairly progressive frontier world. There is a greater mix of different races due to the large number of travelers from the spaceport. Also due to its proximity to the Zhodani border the society is a bit looser, culturally speaking. Midnight discovers a pattern it seems in regard to mutant acceptance. The mid levels of the city seem to be the most diverse and have several high mutant population centers. The lower levels, while have similar patterns, also have the highest share of mutant-based hate crimes. The upper levels of the city are where most of the elite and powerful spend their time and as a result obvious mutants, while not openly mistreated are clearly not welcome.
In doing this research Midnight also learns more about the general culture of Regina and that the other major cities mirror Cape Goliath's attitude but with less tolerance for large mutant populations. The farming and mining communities, as it turns out, happen to be the most embracing of obvious mutants. The prevailing attitude is that your character and work ethic are far more important than appearance.
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JACK: In any case, wherever we end up staying for the first few days, Jack will start the process of trying to find a place to set up a small business, as well as a residence for up to 8 people at a time (not necessarily in the same place). Maintaining a small office in the upper-middle-class section of Cape Goliath seems appropriate, we can't afford a truly high-class office for long, and we don't want to seem unreachable to the huddled masses. I don't know if the group wants to stay together to share costs on the residence or split up and live in individual housing, or some combination of the above. As much as I'd like to establish a couple safehouses in case we have people we need to hide/protect, it's too much expense this early in the business, we can always take them down to an abandoned building at street level and protect them there. VAMPERINA: Vamperina will help Jack where she can. She has bureaucratics skill (13-) though not as good as Jack. Presumably we will all need to throw in some initial startup money to get things running - maybe $15,000 each?
VAREQ: Agreed.
MIDNIGHT: Midnight's willing to share housing with anyone. He hasn't really spent any of his money, either. He's willing to help where he can.
VAMPERINA: Vamperina can go either way on this. In some regards, she would prefer her own place, but she also recognizes that they can get more bang for their buck if they all pitch in.
KYLE: Kyle is fine either way.
VAREQ: Omen will definitely be getting his own place. He doesn't mind chipping in for group housing, however.
VAREQ: Midnight, if you'd like I can make you a mask that will conceal your obvious features. That, along with concealing clothing and flesh-colored gloves, would allow you to blend in when being a mutant is not an option.
Not that there's anything wrong with that...:)
MIDNIGHT: Midnight thinks seriously before answering. "I appreciate the offer, and there may be times when concealment would be required. But I'm just now getting my feet under me, and I don't want to start hiding again."
SURGE: Surge agrees that a general consulting company seems best and he's willing to create the Imperial Net presence for the group. He likes the concept of sharing a nice home on the middle levels of town -- a neighborhood that is diverse where an obvious mutant wouldn't be out of place but that isn't too seedy. Surge also likes the idea of having office space in the upper parts of the city so that business meetings will be in a respectable part of town.
KYLE: Kyle would opt for an office or home somewhere near one of the main campuses of the University of Regina. (Not sure whether that's in middle or upper neighborhood) He'd be keen on keeping up contact with some of his colleagues at the university. [TECH: no actual 'Contacts,' but they might serve as potential plot hooks.] His needs are simple at present. Mostly he'd be keen on a good Imperial Net hookup for research purposes. Eventually he'll want a lab setup. But for the present he can work on research that doesn't require special equipment.
SURGE: Surge's lack of basic needs makes him a good candidate to stay in either place as long as it has a good Imperial Net connection.
Finally, Surge is willing to put forth 15-20k to help start up the business.
OMEN: Omen will match that. He doesn't want investors that would have any decision-making power except the core members, so all of the start up capital will have to come from within.
MIDNIGHT: Midnight has 20K to offer, too.
VAMPERINA: "I would also prefer that everyone donate the same amount, whether that be 15k or 20k. Since it looks like it will be 15k, that's what Vamperina also throws into the pot, leaving her with 120k."
VAMPERINA (OOC): As far as splitting the profits, once we start getting some, I'd like to keep it really simple. Marty can just tell us how much profit we get, after business expenses, each month and we can split that up. If we are operating at a loss, as I suspect we will for at least the first few months (at least), then Marty can tell us how much more we need to invest to keep the business going. That way we don't have to get bogged down in financial details (unless someone really enjoys that aspect in which case, they can be the company's CFO). :)
Here is a list of what I consider Vamperina's marketable skills:
* Starship Pilot
* Airline Pilot
* Commercial Driver
* Bodyguard
* Paramedic
* Translator
* Ship's Gunner (Rocket and Energy)
KYLE: Kyle will be willing to match what Surge puts in. He'd recommend that some of it go towards getting some good medical supplies. Knowing this bunch, we'll need it.
JACK: Jack replies with a twinkle in his eye, "You sure you're talking about us? We're the ones that didn't even bother to have a doctor, remember? ;) In all seriousness we do still have some decent supplies of Biocort and good first aid kits, but if you want to set up a small clinic in one of the apartments in the shared living area just in case, I can see where that could be handy. The one thing I think would be a mistake would be to try to open that clinic to the public, keep it for emergency use for the team and clients only (although I suppose in a true emergency we would bring a civilian in for treatment, not turn them away). I know this is not likely to make you happy, you'd rather try to help more of the sick and injured, but that's what hospitals and dedicated clinics are for, we can't afford to be a free clinic and try to run a business at the same time. I wonder if I have to try to get a license for that... Sounds like a private clinic license, not a public one or emergency one, if we are licensed as an emergency clinic we may get drafted to help handle emergencies by the WHO-equivalent. Another option is to have our offices near an actual private clinic, and work out an arrangement where you work for them part-time in exchange for medical privileges in their clinic. Might be a good way to go, since we're not sure how much business we'll get in the starting months, this would give you (us?) an extra source of income while you weren't busy on a contract.
KYLE: Just to make sure we're on the same page, Kyle wasn't suggesting that. You've been with him for several months now so you should have a pretty good idea of his personality. He takes his oath as a doctor very seriously, which means that when he is caring for someone he owes them a duty of care. But he's not a bleeding heart type. Sure, when there's a disaster like at Black Moon Orbital, he's going to rush in to help. And if he's in a situation where someone's hurt, he'll help as best he can. But he's not looking to devote his life to healing the sick and the poor. He was looking at getting together some medical supplies for when members of the group inevitably get hurt. Kyle plans to find paying work as a doctor or researcher between our consulting jobs.
KYLE: Of course, your idea about volunteering some part-time work in a clinic in exchange for medical privileges isn't a bad one. If Kyle can't get paid work in a hospital or clinic, that might be a good option to get hospital privileges. I had a friend who did that here in the DC area for a number of years.
JACK: Speaking of shared income, that's another sticky wicket, as they used to say. Do we want to simply say that 50% of all income goes to the business, and the rest is kept by the person (or persons, equal split) earning it? It would be silly to expect Kyle to work his buns off as a part-time doctor just to funnel all the income into the business while Jack simply hobnobs and tries to drum up business, and this way even if we end up sending a large team offworld for something, we still split the money when we're done, and noone ends up beggared because they were busy on a mission. The other option is a higher percentage going to the business and then the business pays us each a stipend/salary. This is better for those of us with less direct earning potential, but are still helping the business in their own way, like Jack or Midnight.
KYLE (OOC): Once more real life helps out. It seems to me the best way to handle it would be to make the consulting firm some kind of a partnership. (I'm sure there's a kind of limited liability structure available.) I'd suggest we each get shares based on our buy-in (presumably equal shares). Each person then keeps a percentage of the work they do and gives a percentage to the firm. The money to the firm is used to cover expenses and any remainder is periodically distributed to the partners based on their share of ownership. Of course, as you point out, this only works if everyone is contributing in some way. But it's also wise to remember that rainmaking is just as important as working. Without more work coming in, the whole thing falls apart. I can tell you in the law firm biz, a good rainmaker is easily as important as a good worker. As for percentages, the 50/50 certainly makes bookkeeping easier.
JACK: Vareq, what are your civilian skills? :) I don't think we ever got to talk about that, what would you want to do with yourself when not busy with something for the team? How could you conceivably earn a living on your own? (Not to say that you will be on your own, just looking for useful skillsets here).
VAREQ: Snorts with amusement. "Civilian skills. I've never been a civilian before, so I don't have any, really. I'm a soldier."
"I can pilot ground vehicles, air vehicles and space vehicles, but I don't have the temperament to be a commercial pilot. I know how get information or get things done, either in the boardroom or in the alleys. I know how to use ground or shipboard weapons, and I have some hand to hand combat training."
He shrugs.
"I guess my only marketable skills are as a mercenary."
Note: Vareq tends to be modest with his own skills. If you question him further you'll get some idea: Combat Pilot, Starship Pilot, Driving 17- Bureaucratics, Streetwise, Acting, Conversation 15- language skills including native Zhdant weapon and hand to hand skills
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JACK: Are we agreed on what type of company we want this to be? A general troubleshooting company with salvage crew options seemed like the best fit for everyone's preferences... Bodyguarding and private investigation would both fit under that umbrella as well. I have a feeling that at least at first we will want to have some other jobs on the side to help defray our costs, perhaps through temp agencies or a bodyguard agency like Mr. Callitori's was.
VAMPERINA: We can just call it a consulting company and our imperial net storefront can list the types of services we can offer.
VAREQ: I think we should keep our boots on the ground for awhile. I'm not averse to getting our own starship but I personally have done enough flying around for to last me for a long time.
We should bill ourselves as an all-purpose troubleshooting agency. We need to spread the word in order to start making our expenses back immediately. Jack and Kyle can be our frontmen for the legit businesses. Midnight and I can spread the word on the street. Vamperina can talk to the flyboys at the spaceport and Surge can spread the word on the 'net.
As for the name, let's try something generic and reputable. Premiere Investigations. Alliance Incorporated.
VAMPERINA: "I like the idea of a more generic name as opposed to 'techie' sounding names. Maybe Stellar Consulting. Stellar has the advantage of double meaning (stellar performance and star-spanning) that describes our company.
KYLE: I agree. Generic is good. And Stellar Consulting sounds good to me.
VAREQ: Stellar Consulting sounds good.
JACK (OOC): Let's call it... Remington Steele Investigations ;D No? Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency? :P Unfortunately we could easily get bogged down in just making all these setup decisions and discussions.
SURGE (OOC): Surge comes up with two names off the top of his head... Tek Guard and Cyber Steel. Perhaps Surge is just Lucky. ;) (Sorry inside joke)
GM: We can gloss over the name for now if you want. If any of you have one that you particularly like we can go with it. I certainly won't hold up the turn if no name is found though. :)
VAMPERINA: I have no objection to some discussion on the issue but if I am a lone minority of one, then we can speed through it just by having everyone agree, in principle, to the idea of setting up a company that can specialize in various services. Marty can then take the idea and run with it.
VAMPERINA: A few days after arriving on Regina, Vamperina will let everyone know that she passed her licensing tests for Ship's Gunner and Paramedic. She is rated as Chief Gunner for both Energy Weapons and Rocket Weapons.
SURGE: Surge congratulations Vamperina and comments that we will certainly be able to offer several different types of services.
OOC: Just in case you haven't read the ship's gunner licensing rules on the website, they are a subset of Gunnery Officer and only qualify you to operate the guns themselves, not to repair them. A ship's gunner (of any level) would normally report to a Gunnery Officer on a large commercial ship.
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GM: I would like each player send me their current credit amounts. We will be tracking lifestyle expenses now that we're not living primarily off ROCK. Each month we'll update it noting expenses and income. It doesn't need to be greatly detailed such as tracking very minute expenses. We will be generalizing lifestyle costs.
For All: I've already drafted up a simple lifestyle rules doc that will be on the website this afternoon. You can use it as a guide to determine how much you want to spend on lifestyle each month.
VAMPERINA (GM): I will assume that Vamperina spent about $15,000 of her bonus money from the IIS during R&R and for licensing. So she currently has $135,000 credits left.
Vamperina's preference would be to have her own place in the same building where the rest of the team, and our public offices are.
Vamperina will plan on upper middle (5k per month). If things start getting tight, she can always drop down a bit.
KYLE (GM): 130,000cr before Cape Goliath.
KYLE: Kyle would want something in close proximity to one of the main campuses of the University of Regina. Close to a good hospital would be nice, but not necessary.
KYLE: Kyle would probably stick with Middle for the time being. Heck, even Middle lifestyle in the Imperium beats high living on Qantseqr.
SURGE (GM): 135,000cr before Cape Goliath.
KYLE: Kyle would likely live a middle to upper middle lifestyle overall.
VAREQ: Credits 150K
Misc entertainment on Regina 1K
Lifestyle Mod 1k - private housing
Lifestyle Mod 1K - shared housing (Vareq will chip in to maintain a room in the shared residence)
Initial Business Stake 20K
Money spread around to develop business/street contacts 3K
Also buying a suit of Kevlar body armor, say 500
123.5K left for Vareq
MIDNIGHT: Credits 140K
Shared housing (price included in lifestyle)
Middle Lifestyle Mod 3K
Initial Business Stake 20K
MIDNIGHT: Remaining Credits 117K
JACK: He doesn't announce it, but his total is 162,568. He's prepared to invest 15-20k or more as well, and since we've had a couple people voice concerns about wanted to keep everyone as balanced as possible as investors, he will match everyone's choice and not go over. It sounded like one or two people were staying conservative at 15k, so why don't we plan on 15k each until something comes up and we need more.
JACK: Jack will spend time coming up with several options for the group, using his AK: Cape Goliath 15- [rolled 9] and his CuK: Cape Goliath 15- [rolled 7]. His own personal preference is two types of places total, the first is a shared residence storefront in the mid-upper levels of town, perhaps a small floor of a highrise with private apartments in back and public office space in front near the elevators. The second place would be a low-middle apartment for Vareq and anyone else who wanted their own place (he will pick out several options for this, including some lower and some higher). He considered trying to rent an upper-class meeting place or storefront, but as infrequently as we would need one I think we're better off just renting a hotel conference room when it happens. The fact that we will have a strong net presence/storefront will be more important anyway, to get the interest of customers that might not be ready to walk in to an office yet anyway.
JACK: The advantage to combining the shared living with the office is simple, security. It does mean if someone ends up trying to blow up our office that our residences will be at stake too, so in case someone is more worried about that Jack will also prepare a couple of options separating our living space from the offices, but in any case the office will definitely have at least 1 apartment as part of it for those that might choose to crash there some nights, whether on guard or whatever.
JACK: I've paid my dues at living in less than ideal conditions for a while, I'd like to live a little better than average for a while. Lower-Upper class or Upper-Middle class. If the budget starts to get stretched too thin I can always move out. I will eat quality meals instead of quantity, saving that extra food budget for my socialization budget (which may include nice dinners), since that's how I develop contacts and hopefully business for Stellar Consulting (I would have suggested some generic name like that, but I figured all such generic names would long since already be snapped up by starter companies, and there would be some kind of conflict).
JACK: (TECH: Ubiquitous contacts 11- [rolled 12], we'll see if that indicates anything spectacular). Another roll for the AK: Cape Goliath 15- [rolled 11] and the CuK: Cape Goliath 15- [rolled 9]. In particular I hope for the latter skill to be quite useful when setting this business up without committing any major faux pas, and drumming up some good 'buzz' about us early on.
KYLE: While Kyle does not have any specific contacts here, his backstory has him studying at some of the most prestigious universities in the Spinward Marches. We never settled on exactly which they were. It's possible he studied at Regina. But even if he didn't, he'd have credentials that would stand him well with the people there. It also seems likely that he at least knows casually a few members of the faculty. He'd look for work in two main places: the hospitals and the research world. For the first, he'd see what he could do about getting hired at one of the local hospitals or clinics. For the second, he'd certainly look around for work in or near the university doing work as a research scientist. Given the way these things work, part time would likely suit everyone involved in either case. Getting a permanent job tends to be a longer process. Since he's willing to work as a part-timer, consultant, etc., he'd be easier for them to plug in as needed.
Relevant Skills:
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Comprehensive Scientist (16-)
PS: Research Scientist (15-)
KS: Major Research Institutions of the Imperium (15-)
KS: Dimensional Phenomena (15-)
KS: The Ancients (15-)
PS: Doctor (15-)
He's also fluent in Zdant, for what that's worth Speed Reading, Eidetic Memory, and Lightning Calculator might also help
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Regina Prime, main orbital:
Regina Prime is a large and very busy orbiting space station. With a permanent population of 1.2 million, it averages 3 million people passing through on any given day. The station can easily accommodate 24 million, not counting passengers already boarded on spaceships. Appearing as six large spoked wheels connected with a long center shaft, the station is visible to the naked eye from the planet below. It handles an average of 1500 spaceships a day with a total of 2400 docks.
Regina Prime, by all accounts, is a true city. It has every service available that one could expect on a spacestation and more. Each of the six wheels focus mainly on services directly related to the ships and boarding of passengers. Food, small boutiques, light entertainment and hotels are found there. The main shaft, called 'The Spindle', is where the bulk of the city districts are found. Permanent residences, mega shopping complexes and large entertainment venues such as concert halls, sports stadiums and recreation parks are all found there. Just about all the elements of traditional planetside starport communities are found on Regina Prime.
ROCK is scheduled to dock on Wheel 4, Spoke 15, Dock 21. This particular spoke of Wheel 4 is geared towards smaller, private vessels. The only lodging at Spoke 15 is Shindaran Suites, a Imperial-wide hotel that is fairly well-respected and known for their good accommodations. Currently, they are showing plenty of available rooms since it is not peak travelling season. Pushing on further to the spindle offers a myriad of choices in terms of quality and cost for lodging. Transport from the spoke to the spindle only takes 10-15 minutes, adjusted by congestion. Shuttle service to the planet departs from either end of the spindle.
Cape Goliath, Regina
Cape Goliath is the primary starport and gem of Regina. Build on a small headland of only 600 square kilometers, it is densely packed with a population of 90 million residents. The city does overflow to the rugged Goliath mountains behind the cape but it is reserved for the most wealthy of Reginans. The city was the first thriving community on Regina some 1000 years ago and has retained its lead on other major cities due to his abundance of mineral wealth, still produced from the mountain range cutting it off from the rest of its continent.
The city is a technological marvel compared to most in the frontier planets. The buildings rise over 2400 meters above the sea, dwarfed only by the nearby Goliath mountains. An intricate web of tunnels and skywalks connect the city allowing most residents to venture outdoors only when it suits them. Public transportation is excellent and efficient though many opt for skycars.
The climate is cool and rainy with the current average daytime temperature at 15 degrees Celsius. What little vegetation there is in the city is green and vibrant. The mountain range is also lush filled with very tall conifer trees and ferns. The view of the surrounding mountains is often shrouded in clouds with a thick fog hanging around the lower levels of the city. The air is crisp and clean with advancements in technology keeping pollution out of the surrounding areas.
Lodging in the city is widely available in all price ranges, quality and length of stay. For those willing to risk the dangers of the lowest levels of the city can find vacant buildings at no cost. While not officially legal those familiar with the streets of Cape Goliath know the law does not maintain much of a presence down there.
Businesses of all kinds can be found in Cape Goliath with heavy representation from all business sectors. The starport district dominates the city and its culture though mining in the Goliath mountains is a distant second. Most all Imperial corporations have large offices in Cape Goliath.
Regina
The rest of Regina is much like Cape Goliath in climate. The planet is 82% covered by water and in general has a rainy and cool climate. Other primary cities on the planet are Princeps, Regni, Kingsbury and Corona. The world population is roughly 725 million with 90% of them found in the primary cities. The planet has seven continents that are all fairly young, geologically speaking. There are also seven major islands and archipelagos in addition. All of the land masses are dominated by rugged mountains interspersed with lush valleys, ideal for farming. Though farmland is rare due to the landscape it is very fertile. The one thing that Regina lacks is plenty of sunlight. The skies are typically overcast keeping the average days of sun down to 100 per year. |