The professor is the acknowledge owner of ROCK and decides that a little downtime on Jewell is in order before heading to the Newcomb system. He moves ROCK from the military space station to a civilian one and docks. He announces that he will be departing for Newcomb in three weeks time (on 02/23/6570).
The group is free to do as it wishes for the next three weeks.
GM: Feel free to come up with a short story or description of what your character is going to do during the three weeks. Each person that sends a couple of paragraphs (about 500 words) detailing some of their adventures will earn 1 EXP.
MEK: Before Mek takes off to explore Jewell, he'll ask if anyone wants to head planetside together. He will urge everyone to get off the ship and see the real world for awhile.
MEK(GM): Is Mek now in the Reserve? Does he have any obligations to the Army or any access to services?
GM: He has no obligations to the military anymore.
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VAMPERINA'S STORY
After ROCK moors and Jewell Prime Orbital, Vamperina does not go far. She first makes a telecomm call, asks a few question, makes and appointment, answers a lot of questions and then hangs up.
Next she checks into the Flying Ace Lodge (on Jewell Prime Orbital) for a one week stay. She enjoys a fine dinner at the Red Baron Restaurant on the 12th floor of the lodge that night (with anyone else in the group who might also be interested). The food is delicious and the music is relaxing. She goes to bed early that night and, the following morning, wakes up and begins hitting the books hard (figuratively). She spends the next four days studying. She brushes up on bureaucratic procedures related to starships, various aspects of communications and sensors, first aid and first response medicine, and the subject she dreads the most, astrogation. She has spent a lot of time over the past few months with Surge learning about astrogation, and with Kyle learning about medicine. She hoped that knowledge would serve her for the test that she was about to take.
Four days later, she wakes up and has a good breakfast with plenty of protein. She dons some new clothes, inspects herself in front of the mirror a few times, and then leaves. She hopes that when she returns, she will be celebrating. She takes a few deep breaths to calm down and tells herself that if she fails, then she will try again after Newcomb.
She arrives at the Imperial Aerospace Administration offices 30 minutes early and checks in. Big mistake. She ends up waiting for 30 minutes while worrying about her upcoming test. The test is in five parts of which the last is the simulator. She is not the least bit concerned about the simulator. It's the other four parts that concern her.
She enters the testing center, finds a seat in front of an empty terminal, under the watchful eye of both security cameras and human monitors.
The test begins:
As expected, the Astrogation part of the test gives her the most problems. She feels confident after the bureacratics and systems operations parts of the test and offers up a silent thanks to Kyle as she feels that she slammed the medical testing. She can feel herself sweating as she begins the astrogation part of the test. It's mostly math and it's mostly difficult. Some of the questions she knows that she got wrong and there are only a few where she is 100% confident of her answers.
With this level of distraction, she enters the simulator. This part is almost relaxing. Even after they throw a bit of computer trickery at her where she is completely blindsided and knows she lost some points. However she takes comfort in the fact that if the situation had been real, and there had been a actual danger, she would have felt it.
By the time she finishes the simulator, her other test scores are ready.
Bureacratics 13-: Scored 90%
Systems Operations 13-: Scored 90%
Paramedic 13-: Scored 95%
Astrogation 13-: Scored 80%
Flying Simulator 16-: Scored 95%
Despite herself, she lets out a loud cheer. 80% for astrogation is barely enough, but barely enough is just as good as easily enough. She scored high enough to earn her license as a commercial starship captain. She happily pays the fee and, two hours later, walks out of the IAA with an official accredidation of Commercial Starship Captain. She stops outside the doors of the IAA, takes a few deep breaths, smiles, and then heads back to the Flying Ace.
OOC: If anyone in the group is staying there, she happily shares her good news.
The following day, she takes a shuttle down to Messemer and spends the remainder of the three weeks relaxing at a fine hotel, enjoying all of the comforts of a civilized city.
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SURGE'S STORY:
Surge lingered a bit on ROCK making sure everything was satisfactory with the docking before departing. Once he was satisfied, Surge departed, reuniting with Storm first. It had been a long time since he had a chance to tap into the Imperial Net and he intended to maximize his time online. It took him only a few seconds at an information terminal to find and arrange his lodging.
The Shalana Gateway Hotel was easy to find on Jewell Prime Orbital. It's ultra modern appearance and style were distinctive among other lodging choices that emphasized comfort. Shalana Gateway was primarily known for its top of the line virtual reality services, including Imperial Net access. It was all that Surge cared about. 5 Star restaurant reviews and luxurious amenities mattered not to a person who neither slept nor ate.
Without delay, Surge logged into the hotel's VR environment in the comfort and privacy of his room. The gear was top-notch as promised and Surge felt comfortable as he settled back into his old decking lifestyle. He promptly split off Storm, his alter VR ego. Storm, happy to be free to roam the net, hung around Surge as they explored the nearby nodes. The hotel's network offered many private areas for its guests, including several highly competitive gaming arenas. Surge always enjoyed the various gaming competitions and spent many of his online hours there. Over the next few days Surge headed out into the Imperial Net with Storm, reducing any danger that they may encounter. Both were experienced and knew how to keep from venturing into dangerous parts of the Imperial Net.
Surge also enjoyed some real experiences on Jewell. Mostly he explored the various shops looking at the latest technologies. He also enjoyed some trips to Messemer to see the natural wonders on the planet. After a dinner with Vamperina over her passing of the Captain's test, he thought about the fact that he could get some additional licenses. He was already a commercially licensed Astrogator but it was possible that he could get two other licenses. It was true that gaining them didn't matter to the use of ROCK but that would be changing soon and the versatility could be quite useful. He decided to pursue both the Starship Engineer and Starship Communications and Sensor Operations license. He then sent Storm to arrange the tests via the Imperial Net. After reviewing the test materials he decided against any further studying as he concluded he already knew the material. With his mind functioning more like a computer these days it reduced the need to review information he had already learned.
The next day Surge showed up at Imperial Aerospace Administration offices wearing his only professional looking outfit. The staff eyed him strangely as it became clear he was going to take two sets of licensing tests back-to-back. Surge just smiled at them. He could cheat though that didn't seem honest. Storm, who was currently roaming in the Imperial Net, had the option to link up with Surge and leverage the vast information on the Imperial Net to aid him with the tests. Surge chuckled inwardly as pondered such an advantage. No, he concluded, he shouldn't need any help and if he's not able to pass the tests as he is, then he doesn't deserve the license.
Moments later the staff called him back to take the first test. He promptly began the test, reading the data with computer-like speed and rattling off the answers in mere seconds. Surge concluded that his speed would be hindered more by their testing interface than the question and answers themselves.
As Surge predicted he had no real challenge from most of the tests. He was pleased that he didn't trip over any of the sciences that he had only peripherally studied. The Sensor Ops test was fine though he realized his grasp of the military radio codes were his weakness. Luckily he was good enough to pass their test, barely.
Starship Engineer Results:
FTL Drives - 19- 100%
Auxiliary Mechanical Systems - 19- 100%
Auxiliary Electronics Systems - 19- 100%
Engineering Theory - (19-/12-) 100%
Starship Communications and Sensor Operations Results:
Astronomy - 19- 100%
Radio Theory - 19- 100%
Systems Operations - 19- 100%
Radio Operations - 14- 80%
The results came back with pretty amazing numbers, beyond the Radio Operations test, which was in the normal range. The test officials initially suspected cheating as it was extremely rare for anyone to ace so many tests, most of them incredibly difficult. After several system diagnostics they certified the results.
Surge happily paid the fees and, a few hours later, walked out of the IAA with official accreditations of Commercial Chief Engineer and Commercial Senior Radio and Sensor Operator. Surge spread the news to his friends and invited those interested to a dinner. Though Surge did not eat, he fully understood the importance of social gatherings around food. He was growing accustomed to joining them in their social rituals.
Surge spent his remaining days between the VR world and the sights of Messemer. The whole vacation was a lovely and enjoyable break from his space-time routine. Though he was happy to spend years in space, he also enjoyed exploring the curious cultures on the planets beneath the stars.
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MIDNIGHT'S STORY
Although Midnight had been busting his hump from the moment the "rescue mission" was over (or at least headed safely back for debriefing) and in need of a break, he seemed none to interested in taking any R&R on or around Jewell. He avoided his teammates as they announced plans and headed planet side always finding another project to be tended to first.
Once alone (or able to be alone with most of the crew gone), Midnight took to some of the same tasks many of his mates had referred to. He logged onto the nets, but instead of catching up with friends and family, he created an account for possible contact in the future. He sent a quick/simple message to Michael (or to the military to forward to Michael if they deemed it safe).
"Dear Michael,
Life continues to progress well here. I hope you are as happy now as you were when last we spoke. Planning to continue on as suggested. I have my license, so I'm official for what that's worth. Please keep in touch as time and situations allow.
Thanx for everything,
Midnight."
No point being long winded with Michael, and since computer net security's not in Midnight's vocabulary, he decided to be slightly cryptic, too. Plus, it's easier to talk about some things by not actually talking about them.
After messaging Michael, it only took Midnight a few moments of thought before he decided to send one more message. He found a message box for Scout through the guild; one he presumably checked when in between missions like Mek and company. He sent a message for Aeria hoping Scout would forward it to her. As quick as the decision was to message Aeria, the actual process took quite some time. After a few days of drafts and deliberations, he finally typed and sent a quick note before he had time to re-re-re-re-edit it.
"Aeria,
I hope your new life is everything you hoped it would be. I don't know if we'll be able to meet face-to-face anytime soon, but I'd like to keep in touch. I enjoyed what little time we had to talk before. Hope to hear from you soon.
Midnight."
GM: You do not get an answer to your letter to Aeria but the automatic return receipt that you included in the letter shows that someone did receive and open your letter.
Midnight also opened a bank account with the credits paid by the IIS. It seemed like a virtual fortune to him, but he decided to keep most of it saved up since the team took care of most of his major expenses. Midnight did, however, order some parts from Jewell to begin building a weapon of his own. He even paid extra to have the parts shipped to him, so he wouldn't have to leave the ship. Having his gun jam during the last combat left a bad taste in his mouth, and he figured he could build it better himself anyway.
Midnight spent the rest of the break waiting for any response from Aeria (GM?). When he wasn't checking his message box, Midnight continued to practice his martial arts and to tinker with his equipment. Midnight went through several designs trying to build a weapon which would be effective when his powers weren't without being too lethal. No point building something Jack or the others would not let Midnight take off ship.
He also spent some time doing research about Newcomb and such in an effort to get a jump on the upcoming mission.
He did send congratulatory notes (and flowers to Vamparina) to his teammates for their successful licensing although he did not attend any of the dinners/parties which seemed to accompany these announcements. When people began returning and talking about their breaks, Midnight listened intently to their stories nodding occasionally when a particular street or local was mentioned. However, he's glad to have everyone back and eager to get underway.
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JACK'S STORY
Jack spends his downtime connecting socially with lots of other people, things he hasn't been able to do lately :) He hooks up with old girlfriends, has dinner parties with old business contacts, the usual. He does manage to make it to Vamperina's celebration party, he wouldn't miss it for the world.
He does not pursue any starship licensing at this time, realizing that he has a lot more coursework in Systems Operations to study before he's ready. He does announce that he's ready to start taking bridge watches though, at least when we're not in hostile territory. (He's familiar with Radar and FTL Sensors now, the minimum for taking a bridge watch while under way.) He will extend his studies with Surge and/or Vamperina on the Communications sections and the Air/Space Traffic Control Systems during our next trip.
Jack also makes a point of finding a couple of his mutant friends who are also obvious mutants, but live fulfilling lives, and introduces them to Midnight. If Midnight won't leave the ship, he'll bring them up to the ROCK if he has to. He is concerned for Midnight's adjustment and outlook and wants him to know that not every obvious mutant has the same experiences, and even if they DO have to deal with some bigotry once in a while, you can still make a good life for yourself.
MIDNIGHT: If asked directly by Jack to accompany him, Midnight won't refuse. He's not determined to isolate himself--just strongly preferential to it. Jack realizes as they journey, that some of Midnight's hesitation comes from the fact that he lived on the streets of Jewell from the age of 5 to 15; much of his reluctance to go planet side has to do with the particular planet not just with his being a mutant. Midnight would enjoy meeting other "obvious mutants" and hearing their stories; he is still adjusting to being on his own again after living with Michael for a few years. Although Midnight does enjoy the trip and bonding with Jack, he's glad to get back on the ship where he doesn't feel like he has to always be looking over his shoulder.
JACK: Jack spends a day with Midnight in this way, but doesn't pressure him to stay on the planet when things are winding down, he just wanted to make sure Midnight felt included, and felt like he actually had a little fun during shore leave ;) He suggests that if the city bothers him they could always do an adventure hike/climb together or something out in the wilderness next time.
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KYLE'S STORY
After years on a prison planet and months in a ship, Kyle was glad to be back on a civilized world again. Not that Rio wasn’t civilized, but their stop there had been short. And what time wasn’t taken up with debriefings, Kyle had spent trying to pick up the pieces of his life that had been scattered when the Zhodani arrested him. There were licenses to be renewed, messages from friends and family to read and respond to, banks and lawyers to contact. Given all that he’d barely had time for a good meal. But at least his efforts had paid off. With the help of the IIS he was once more a functioning member of Imperial society.
Soon after they arrived at Jewell, Kyle checked into the Flying Ace Lodge, on the advice of Vampirina, taking a room that offered an unparalleled view of Jewell Prime from space. One thing Kyle had missed while stuck on Qantseqr was how a planet looked form orbit. He joined Vampirina (and anyone else who attended) for dinner at the Red Baron, ordering more food than anyone had seen him eat in the past week. It had been so long, he explained, since he had the opportunity to order such good food that he couldn’t resist.
His next days were spent simply enjoying the luxury that the hotel had to offer. He lounged in the pool, arranged for a massage, and spent some time watching trideos. He even went over to the Shalana Gateway a few times to let Surge beat him in any variety of electronic games.
He also took a few hours each day to help drill Vampirina in first aid procedures. And by the time she departed for her test, Kyle was certain she’d pass with flying colors. So it came as no surprise when she returned ready for a celebration, and he was happy to join her once more at the Red Baron.
His sole concession to work during this first week was making a few phone calls to try and arrange to get some proper medical equipment for ROCK. It really was appalling how little they had. Thankfully, as a licensed physician and ship’s doctor he should be able to get his hands on the majority of what he needed within a couple of weeks. He’d be on planet, he explained, in another week or two and could arrange then to have it shuttled up to Jewell Prime Orbital.
Following his week of leisure in orbit, he took a shuttle planet side and arranged for a ski trip at the Ragnarok Mountains. Qantseqr was a generally hot world, and besides, the Zhodani had never really caught on to the idea of skiing for fun. As a result it had been over five years since he’d been skiing and it certainly showed in his technique. But days of skiing and nights in a warm ski lodge did wonders for renewing his reserves.
OOC: Kyle would have extended the offer to any of his companions to join him for the whole week or just a few days.
During his final week in Jewell, Kyle returned to Messemer and the Hotel Interstellar, enjoying the advantages of city living. Museums filled his days and shows occupied his evenings, though he did take some time off to arrange for the purchase of his medical supplies and to download what scientific journals he hadn’t been able to obtain on Rio.
OOC: If it turns out that a licensing test is in order, Kyle would take it during either his first or last week, as appropriate. |