Game Date

119-1105

Location

Flammarion

External view of the MV Emperor Cato (placeholder image for now)

Some clarifications from last session.

The previous crew of Vagabonds Hope were Scouts, but they did not have a very good reputation, notes made that they had a very “slapdash” feel to them. They were using the generous refit budget provided by the Scout Service to get the parts need for the ship but instead of using them they were selling them on the Black market for profit and then buying cheaper parts from the breakers yards. They were also noted to not be an exceptionally talented team, the lowest end of the scale as far as Anders is concerned.

Our liner is not set to depart until the following day so the team catches up with any last minute shopping and preparations before relaxing for the evening. The next morning most of us don’t notice anything untoward as we board the Liner, but Junebug notices that some people are paying more attention to those of us boarding, she gives a small nudge to Tharbin to point out what she has observed, for further discussion in private. After we choose our staterooms and get settled Junebug calls us all together to talk over what she saw. The people did not stand out as such with no military style uniforms or fancy clothing they appeared to be dressed as standard dock workers.

Masuyo requests to talk to the Purser, asking about Piracy levels in the region, to which he replies that there have been no attacks recently, but being at the edge of Imperium space and on the borders of the Sword Worlds does somewhat increase the risks. Masuyo asks all of us to not discuss what cargo we brought aboard with us, having planted a seed with the Purser to find out if there is any kind of information exchange aboard the Liner. As an extra precaution Junebug arranges for some extra security measures with our cargo by setting up a clipboard with a regular schedule to run checks at regular intervals to check for tampering she has also implemented some simple and timeless measures with tape. Tharbin has also provided a bug with both live video and sound feeds to watch the cargo as well. After our meeting we all head back to our rooms to change into civvies for the trip.

The ship departs on schedule, and Tharbin decides to have a look at some pictures we managed to get of the "dock workers" that were watching the passengers boarding but he could not establish a connection to the net. 100 diameters from the planet (or any large object), which is for safety purposes, the ship prepares to Jump. as is traditional from earliest memory with Jumps using up almost all of the power, the lights are dimmed. We all find things to keep us occupied during the week in jump space. During our time on board we make a note of the fact that the Purser does not make any kind of checks on the cargo and we have not noticed anything untoward so far.

Being a mechanic myself I have been listening to the ships "hum" and believe that although not dangerous the crew are carrying out the barest minimum maintenance, leading me to the conclusion they do not really care too much to go above and beyond to maintain the ship, they keep it running and nothing more. This is further backed up by the lack of Stewards aboard and the overall shabby and slightly grubby feel of the ship in that there is a bare minimum of cleaning being carried out. There are no High or Low passengers aboard the liner only us Middle passengers, the Scout Service is subsidising the liner, this maybe the reason for some of the noted issues.

Five days into the Jump we are made aware that one of our fellow passengers is a singer and has offered to perform an impromptu recital for any that are interested. the Singer is pretty good and impresses all of the attendees, but I and it seems a few of my party feel uncomfortable for some reason, as if there is something odd about how I and the others are responding.... Something is definitely not normal about the performance but I am unsure as to what it could be. I make a note to discuss it with the others later. After the performance Earl decides to have a chat with the singer to see if he could ascertain the reason for the strange reaction. Was it a drug/gas, Psionic in nature? The feeling was only prevalent during the performance and faded soon after. Upon further investigation no drugs were found to have been used and we all comment on how strange it is that all attendants of the recital agree on how good the performance was, everyone has different preferences so that is also unusual. So Tharbin decides to investigate the singer himself.

Masuyo makes her concerns regarding the condition of the Liner to us all and states that she would like to report the liner upon return to Flammarion to get it checked and serviced before a disaster can occur. She also make us aware of her suspicions that there may be a Zhodani connection, and then explains that the person responsible for helping to rescue Cyndariel and Chase is part of the Anti-Zhodani faction and the possible Zhodani connection with the singer.

Masuyo has made a fairly thorough check of the Low berths to make sure that there are indeed empty and we have no other signs of any stowaways.

View of the landing pad on 567-908 prior to the arrival of the MV Emperor Cato. The buildings of the scout base are behind the viewpoint.

168 hours out of Flammarion we exit jump space at 119 diameters from 567-908, Masuyo and Earl are both in the gallery and make note that no other ships are in the vicinity, The planet is a greyish brown colour with some signs of surface water, and a thin atmosphere. The liner's atmosphere has been slowly adjusted during the jump to help passengers acclimatise. We are given 24 hours planet side whilst we wait for refuelling to be completed by the crew and checked and supervised by the Scout Service personnel. I go off the investigate Mandels Prang, the remains on an ATV that has been crashed into a large rock. It look quite eroded maybe due the high winds that occur planet side. The others wander off to find their own entertainments.

Game Date

117-1105

Location

Flammarion

After receiving a message from Earl Dumarest regarding a job offer, we all gather and meet in High-port, one of Flammarion Spaceport bars to get reacquainted and to share our experiences whilst we were separated. There is a Scout Way-station attached to the Spaceport, there is a Naval Base which is separate from the Spaceport. X-boats also stop on Flammarion.

We decide to make a party of our get together before meeting with Anders Ascaris the next day.

Engineering Brochure view of the Type K Safari Ship

We are shown into Anders office and welcomed, whom seems to be talking exclusively to Earl in the interim. He/we are offered something called detached duty working for the Scout Service but are informed that currently there are no ships available, but an alternative is being offered. It is a converted Safari ship Type K Safari Ship, jump 2 capability, military grade sensors, 11 staterooms. The only small issue is that the ship is not on Flammarion, but on Walston, a jump 4 away from our current planet. Transport on a subsidised liner has been arranged for all of us. Another problem is that the previous crew abandoned the ship due to being brought up on charges of defrauding the Scout Service by taking the spare parts they were providing and selling them for profit and then buying inferior replacement electronics and spare parts which led to it failing an inspection at Walston leading to the abandonment. The electronics on the ship are in poor condition, but the Scout Service will replace the electronics and any other parts that need to be replaced, and any other faults will be repaired.

Walston is a Tech level 8 planet with a C Class Spaceport, a Scout Base Warehouse, Walston does not however have the parts we need to make the necessary repairs.

Our Tickets for the Liner will allow us to jump to 567-908 E-O where refuelling will take place, and then onto Walston, where we will collect the Vagabond's Hope (the name of our ship).

Earl accepted the contract on behalf of all of us, rules of engagement are we can return fire if we are first fired upon, in the case of hijacking and piracy, we can initiate combat, Masuyo has a full recording of our conversation with Anders.

Modified Type K Safari Ship in flight

Imperial Scout Service Detached Duty Terms and Conditions

Standard Terms

Article 1: Purpose The purpose of this agreement is to outline the terms and conditions under which a scout, hereafter referred to as the “Scout,” will operate a designated Imperial Scout Service vessel (hereafter referred to as the “Ship”) during their detached duty.

Article 2: Ship Allocation The Imperial Scout Service shall allocate the Ship to the Scout for the duration of their detached duty. The Scout is responsible for the Ship’s maintenance, upkeep, and overall condition.

Article 3: Mission Objectives The Scout shall complete any mission objectives assigned by the Imperial Scout Service, which may include:

• Exploring uncharted regions of space
• Charting new worlds or celestial bodies
• Conducting surveys on planetary conditions
• Providing intelligence reports to Imperial Scout Service HQ

Article 4: Communication and Reporting The Scout shall maintain regular communication with Imperial Scout Service using the Ship’s communication systems. The Scout shall submit regular mission reports, including findings, discoveries, and any notable events whenever visiting a system with an Imperial Scout Station.

Article 5: Safety Protocols The Scout is responsible for ensuring the safety of themselves, their crew (if applicable), and any third-party personnel on board the Ship. The Scout shall adhere to all standard Imperial Scout Service safety protocols and guidelines.

Article 6: Equipment Maintenance The Scout shall perform routine maintenance and inspections on the Ship’s equipment, including but not limited to:

• Life support systems
• Propulsion systems
• Communication arrays
• Sensors and scanners

The Imperial Scout Service will provide funding for annual inspection and servicing of the Ship and its equipment.

Article 7: Unauthorized Activities The Scout is prohibited from engaging in any unauthorized activities while operating the Ship, including but not limited to:

• Commercial trade or commerce that requires the Ship to be at a specific location at any time or requires the Ship to perform any specific task
• Military operations or combat
• Illegal activities or espionage

Authorization must be obtained in writing from the Imperial Scout Service before the activity occurs. However, in the event that the ship is engaged in combat that it did not initiate the ship and its crew are authorized to act in self defence.

Article 8: Liability In the event of any damage or loss sustained by the Ship during the Scout’s detached duty, the Scout shall be held liable for the costs of repairs and/or replacement. This liability may be waived by the Imperial Scout Service at its discretion.

Article 9: Annual InspectionThe Ship must undergo an annual inspection and overhaul at least once in each calendar year

Article 10: Termination This agreement may be terminated at any time by the Imperial Scout Service, should the Scout fail to comply with the terms and conditions outlined herein or in the event of the vessel being required for other duties. In such cases, the Scout shall immediately return the Ship to the nearest Imperial Scout Base on being informed of the termination of the agreement.

Article 11: Effective Date This contract becomes effective upon allocation of the Ship to the Scout and remains in effect until terminated or superseded by subsequent agreement.

Supplemental Terms

Article S.1: The Scout is Earl Dumarest

Article S.2: The Ship is the Vagabond's Hope, a modified Type K Safari Ship currently at Walston.

Article S.3: The Scout will be supplied with Middle Passge tickets for transport of up to 8 people from Flammarion to Walston. In addition to the Middle Passage Ticket an allowance of Cr1,000 per person will be provided to cover all incidental expenses.

Article S.4: The Scout will be supplied with equipment and software that will allow the Scout to take possession of the Ship and bring to Flammarion.

Article S.5: The Scout will be supplied with Scout Service Refuelling Vouchers that can be redeemed at the Bowman and Asteltine Starports.

Article S.6: Once the Ship is brought to Flammarion, the Scout Service will provide Accommodation and Cr1,000 per person while the Ship undergoes a Full Systems Overhaul.

Article S.7: The Ship may be involved in commercial activities, as long as these do not conflict with the Scout Service

Article S.8: If the ship is hijacked the Scout is permitted to inititate combat to retrieve the Ship.

Article S.9: The Scout is allocated the ship on 120-1105

Timeline of character histories

Events in the most recent term

During 1102 Chase and Cyndariel were, as part of their scout duties, assigned to a mission to a systems just beyond the edge of the Third Imperium. One of worlds visited was Gollere (Egyrn 0505), a regressed settlement which was well on its way to recovering space travel (it is at TL 7). During the visit some starships from a nearby system, Belgard. arrived to trade for agricultural supplies. The Belgardians are xenophobic, particularly when it comes to other starfarers and Chase and Cyndariel managed to raise the hackles of the Belgardian (mainly by boasting about their past discoveries in the Egryn subsector).

The Belgardians responded by launching a full scale invasion of Gollere and kidnapping both Chase and Cyndariel.

The Imperial Scout Service doesn't take kindly to this (particularly as both Chase and Cyndariel are serving members of the Scout Service with excellent service records) and organises a counter invasion to both return the inhabitants of Gollere to their previous government (a collaboration between specialised clans) and to free Chase and Cyndariel.

Since the scout don't have significant military forces of their own, a significant military operation is required, partially organised by Tharbin (safely back in the Spinward Marches). The naval assets included the hiring of the Leviathan Class Merchant Cruiser Nicholas de Nicolay who crew complement included Masuyi who was able to earn the cruiser significant additional funds as it travelled to Gollere.

Since this is a military operation several naval and marine personnel was seconded to crew of the Nicholas de Nicolay including Earl Dumarest (of the scouts and acting as the main liaison between the scouts, the navy and the marines), Fiorana of the Navy and assigned as the lieutenant in charge of the Armament of the Nicolas de Nicolay and Junebug as a corporal in the Marine section assigned to the rescue operation.

The rescue operation was a great success with Fiorana in particular gaining the Navy Lifesaving Medal for rescuing the gunners under her command when the Nicolas de Nicolay was rammed by a Belgardian escort vessel (its pilot having lost control during an attempt to deliver a close range broadside to the Nicolas de Nicolay).

On the ground Junebug took over leading the rescue operation when her sergeant was incapacited during the assault. Her actions resulted in her promotion to Sergeant.

Earl's success in managing to keep the tensions between the merchant owners of the Nicolas de Nicolay, the naval officers in charge of the naval personnel, the marine commander and his superiors in the Scout Service (who were funding the operation) was recognised by the Scout Service after the completion of the mission.

At the end of the term it is 'suggested' to Chase and Cyndariel that maybe they could better progress their lifes outside of the Scout Service!

Change History

19^th November 2024

Add events in the most recent term and even out the columns in the table