Traveller Session 23
- Game Date
- 283-1105
- Location
- 567-908 → Bowman
Most of us continue with our studies while in jump space
Our paranoia is high throughout our jumps due to the nature of our departure from the invasion zone. We all take up appropriate stations as we approach our exit point. Masuyo hears comms from another scout ship the Ready Reckoner which is about to take off, she contacts them and asks for a meeting asking them to stay for a while and wait for us, but another ship enters system. A system wide announcement from the Zhodani ship, This is Fleet Courier Sovereign Sentinel, this system is now under the protection of the Zhodani protectorate, all vessels are to please land on the planet for inspection.
or some such.
Long range view of the battle
We are too far away for them to wait so we tight beam a package to them as they take off and threaten the Zhodani ship, Tharbin surreptitiously asks if we should tell them where we are going? No. There are two ships on planet and the 400 ton ship that just entered behind us. The new arrival runs an active scan and we also run a scan back. The Ready Reckoner and the Zhodani ship begin to trade fire in an all out space battle.
Can we go under water, if so how far and for how long? We can but only but to about 6 feet or so, we debate our options. Hide in the ocean, pose as Merchants or hide in asteroids. We opt to skim the ocean then head for the asteroids to refine fuel then jump 1 for Bowman. We cut our skim time to 45 mins.
The fight between the Zhodani & Ready Reckoner continues and we make our way toward the asteroid belt. After a while the Ready Reckoner is disabled and lies dead in space.
Captain has been sent an email1, x2 from Scout Service & Anders Casari, and an email to Junebug re Thaddeus Kessler:
To: Earl Dumarest - Captain of Vagabond's Hope
Date: 275-1105
Re: Written Authorization for Article 7 Activities
In response to the recent incursion by the Zhodani Consulate in our local area this is official written authorisation (as required by Article 7) that authorises you to use the Vagabond's Hope in the defense of the Third Imperium as required.
You should keep detailed records of your activities since any claim you make in this regard will be audited.
Please support any military requests that may be of you.
Anders Casarii, Commander, Imperial Scout Way Station Flammarion
Date: 275-1109
Re: Reminder of detached duty responsibilties
In response to the recent incursion by Zhodani Consulate in our local area you are reminded of your responsibilities with particular regard to the following:
System Survey & Mapping : Visit systems, map them and record data on scientific, cultural and political intelligence (particularly beyond the borders of the Third Imperium) and update the IISS database when next at a scout base.
Duty to respond: Failure to respond when required by the IISS will result in termination of your pension. You should presume that requests from Imperial Military forces are required by the IISS until otherwise informed.
Please rest assured that all possible actions are being taken to deal with the incursion and a return to normal conditions is expected.
Many Thanks
Scout Service HR
Date: 274-1105
Re:
Dear Junebug,
Thanks for your email of 266-1105 which we have just received regarding Thaddeus Kessler. While he did indeed receive re-training following his court martial he was dishonourably discharged by mutual agreement from the marines with effect from 117-1105 from the marine base at Mille Falcs (Spinward Marches 1537).
Due to data safety laws we cannot provide any additional details we may have on his movements and/or current location unless you (or your duly authorised advocate) present yourself in person at any marine base (please note that while the marine base can and will provide with the information they have it can only be the information available at that marine base).
However any information you may have with connections between Thaddeus Kessler and Captain Vexar would be very helpful in dealing with the situation.
Warmest Regards,
Marine HR - Flammarion
The bowman system has five asteroid belts. This image shows one of them in the distance while the asteroid used as cover is visible nearby
Bowman is our destination We use the asteroid field to help disguise our departure, we wait 8 hours for star port to get around the terminator of the planets rotation then we make our escape. The passenger demands to know what is happening and is promptly told to sit down and shut up and not ask questions. He is not happy about it.
Junebug is composing emails, I would like to resume training.
Marines aware of a connection between Kessler & Vexar. Data Drive has a personal appeal recording from the Viscount. The other half of the data is about the state of Imperium of Spinward Marches & Darrian Confederation, Sword Worlds, 5 sisters & District 268.
Engines are in good condition. We approach our exit point, we emerge successfully, around 30 mins from gas giant Bowman Prime, passive scans, we tight beam the Scout base with our information on Zhodani Invasion and send them the info. No refined fuel available for us as the belters bought it all up. Masuyo warns them about possible Zhodani ships entering the systems due to what happened at 567-908. We plan to refuel at the Gas Giant and to Jump to Datrillian, then on to Elixabeth. Refuelling complete, we plot our course and enter Jump Space. We let our passenger know that we are now heading directly to Elixabeth as his info is now considered vital at this point.
Footnotes
- GM Note: Having thought about it, emails are carried by specialised equipment on both X-boats and scout service vessels (including detached duty vessels such as the Vagabond's Hope). Once a jump is completed (and assuming radio silence is not in force) e-mails are automatically exchanged with any similarly equipped vessels and starports (basically all starports including Class E starports include the technology). This equipment is one of the most widespread uses of TL15 technology across the Third Imperium ensuring that the emails are kept encrypted using end-to-end technology in a small hardware and software package that is easily installed (by the scout service) in even the 100 ton Type S Scout ships. ↩