SURGE: "So are we agreeing to reunite this girl with either her family or parents? Max, Chase? I think that's really the first decision we need to make. I assume that means within reason. If it looks like suicide to try and find them then we'd have to discuss another option. We have to be realistic about the risks and our chances for success."
SURGE: "As I see it we have two main options. We could shoot for Regina and conduct more research there. Clearly some extended family of Lisan's was there. Also the Institute of Systems Studies's main campus is there and that's where he began his research. Max did you know the professor well enough to know any family? I'm guessing not. We could inquire about his family while we're there. If we find some extended family we could drop Lisan off with them. We could then follow the leads until we have enough to make a search attempt in Zhodani space."
JACK: An actual search... in Zhodani space. Wow. Well, I'm a fish out of water in contemplating that kind of thing. I can barely even conceive of trying to gather a little information about it, let alone actually doing it. I simply don't have the skills to be a spy, let alone the heart. We could possibly pass for Zhodani janitors until the first time one of them decided to scan us, I suppose. Considering how freely and commonly they use their powers to do so I think the risks are pretty high in something like that. I think that's why the professor used that personality overlay trainer to make sure that even to a deep scan his mind read exactly what it was supposed to. Presumably someone like Eli who might be strong enough to block a scan would set off even more alarms, unless he had the Zho governmental ID to back up his use of Psi powers to defend his mind from
intrusion.
VAMPERINA: "I'm hoping that between having two psionic heavyweights," she says, indicating Eli and Max, "and the professor's overlay machine, that we will have some chance of success."
NOBODY: "I'm really not all that wild about having my personality overlayed."
SURGE: Surge nods, "I agree that I'm out of my element but if the professor could pull it off, then I think we have an equal or greater chance to as well. However, as mentioned before, if the professor and his wife are captives we will be hard pressed to rescue them. Clearly more research will be needed before we can formulate a plan."
JACK: "The professor could pull it off because he was willing to subjugate his entire personality in order to gather some information. As Eli pointed out, I doubt any of us are going to be fond of doing that any time soon. It may have to be done, but only with careful planning and more information."
..........
SURGE: "The other option is to go find her parents on Zeycude directly. If Lisan is comfortable staying with us and she won't be too much in the way then that might be workable. We do have several references to other professors in Zhodani space that professor Ricket knew. They might be willing to assist. The problem is we don't know the nature of what happened to the professor and his wife. They could have uncovered some secrets that the Zhodani Consulate did not want revealed. In those cases we could be exposing ourselves to great risk even inquiring."
JACK: These contacts may well have gone into hiding, or have betrayed the professor, or anything in between. You're right, we simply don't have enough information.
VAMPERINA: "I'm obviously not the expert here, but maybe Eli or Max can do a scan for them," she says looking at Max and Eli.
MAX: "A scan could work depending on the population of Zeycude and how far we can narrow down the search area. I've met the professor before and that would help. At issue would be whether the zho could detect the scan. In any event, I am willing to at least explore the feasibility of rescuing Professor and Mrs Ricket."
NOBODY: "Not feasible for me. Too much distance and too many minds to sift through. I'm not familiar with their minds at all. Too great a chance of being discovered by a psionicist."
..........
SURGE: "It is true that we simply do not have enough information to make an informed decision. We'll simply have to go with our instincts on this and see where that leads us. Once I get away from this system I have no plans. Before I was arrested I was working as a second astrogator. Flying around in this ship is way better than my old life. So as far as I'm concerned I'm completely fine with trying to reunite this girl with her family. I certainly don't feel comfortable just taking the ship and ignoring her situation."
JACK: "Personally I think of a spaceship as a vehicle, a means to get from point A to point B, not as a home, or a mobile base, or even a place to work for years at a time. On a spaceship I have three possibilities: 1) figurehead captain who does lots of talking but not much real decision-making (OOC: but gets all the alien girls ;), 2) space marine without a battlesuit (and doesn't really need one), and 3) the guy who tries to keep the hull breaches under control when it's being shot apart. I'm willing to do them all if they need to be done, but none of them are what I would choose to build a new life around.
CHASE: "I'd like to add one small detail that may have been overlooked as we've been discussing the various ports. As I believe it is important if there is a way we can help the little girl find her parents that would be a boon. However, the in the event they have become well you know then what? Also I want to mention that this space ship as a great fine and all the work we've put into it technically speaking isn't ours. Although I must admit I'm not familiar with space law as the next guy as I could be wrong and you all sound like you've had more experience in these matters. As far as sleeping accomodations I'm not particular to a specific location as long as I get some."
SURGE: "I have no illusions that this ship is ours. It is simply a vehicle to get us out of here. I guess the way I'd look at it is that we are acting guardians for Lisan who is sole owner of ROCK until her parents are found. As guardians we have the responsibilities to make decisions for the vessel. That's about it." Surge shrugs.
JACK: Jack simply nods in agreement with the assessment.
..........
SURGE: What do we know about Jewell? If we were to pick a good system for buying supplies, researching information and that is close would Jewell be the best bet? Any others to make note of?
GM: You can garner the following information from the star charts (see attached World Profile Key).
Lysen - B592655 A S Non-industrial x G
Jewell - A777999 C 2 Industrial x G
Zeycude - C330698 A x Poor. Desert World x G
The Chronor star chart also notes that infomation on Zhodani worlds may not be accurate.
Jack and Max have both been to Lysen before.
Vamperina, Eli, Surge and Jack have all been to Jewell before.
No on in the group has been to Zeycude before.
GM: Jewell would not be a bad world for researching information. Max has never been there but is fairly certain that they would have an Institute of Systems Studies (ISS) office there where he might be able to learn more about Professor Ricket. Vamperina, Eli, Surge and Jack have all been there before and know it to be a high tech world. Law level is high but, as long as your imperial IDs hold out, and you don't cause trouble, then that shouldn't be a problem. The only real problem is how to approach Jewell. ROCK is definitely distintive and, if you are worried about someone recognizing the ship, then you may not want to come in at the Jump point. You could come into the system elsewhere, and then leave ROCK somewhere and come in with PEBBLE. There will still be customs officials to deal with when you dock at the space station or the star port but, as long as your papers are in order, and Lisan is with you, then you should be okay. Both ROCK and PEBBLE are listed as belonging to Professor and Mrs Ricket, but their daughter's name is also included.
CURT: Since I've never been in space before, and actually have no knowledge of what's really out here, I don't really have much of an opinion about where we go next. In general I guess it might be cool to go see a high tech world since I've already experienced a low tech one (here). If we decide to help out the girl, then I guess wherever that university was that he worked at might be our best bet. In the end though, I'll head to wherever those with more knowledge and schooling decide we should head to.
SURGE: "I am definitely leaning towards Jewell as our next destination, via Lysen, of course."
JACK: "Sounds good. I don't think we're ever going to have a clear cut and definitive consensus, so why don't we plan on Jewell for now, unless someone has an objection. I haven't really heard one other than trying to avoid obvious discovery and the authorities, and I'll respond to that in a moment."
..........
SURGE: "If we do not use jump points on either end would expose us to some real risk that we will stray off coarse. It's not high but it is there. I would prefer not to use the jump point here but the question is how much of an issue is it if we're spotted in Lysen or Jewell? I'd be fine with just one jump point in terms of risk. I can also continue to work on my astrogation skill to where I'd be comfortable with no jump points."
JACK: Jack looks up from the star charts and says, "If I'm reading this right, Lysen has a small jump station, but how much notice will they really take of a ship that pops out at their jump point, resets its jump engines, and jumps again? Using no jump point here, but an established one there helps our chances, and then gives us the better chance of
jumping safely and quietly into the Jewell system without using that jumppoint. Our exposure would be minimal, without risking a major misjump. Right? We can manage two jumps, and then refuel quietly in the Jewell system. Our only other choice is to jump to Gougeste, then Emerald, then Jewell. Does Emerald have a jump station? Personally I think as long as we manage our risk by not leaving or arriving at a jump station that's going to have to be enough."
GM: Jack looks back at the star chart and notes that the stats for Gougeste and Emerald are:
Gougeste - C372510 A x Rich. Agriculture. A x
Emerald - B766555 B S Agricultural. Non-industrial. x G
GM: Thus Gougeste does not have a Jump station according to the star chart but it is proscribed as an Amber world. The star chart does not say why. If you just Jump in and then out again, it MAY not be an issue, as long as you don't get too close. However, there may be a naval vessel patrolling the Jump point who may decide that they want to board you.
GM: Emerald, on the other hand, does have a Jump Station.
..........
CURT: Oh, on a side note, my primary mindblock is now gone, so I can pretty much change shape into whatever I desire now. I am still battling one last one though on an offensive ability. |