[roguespace] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Gregory has arrived.

[roguespace] GM asks, "Intro to the people and setting, or to the plot-in-progress?"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "I'm Morfu cle Eshta, medical officer of the Star Minnow."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Also, Dovi."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "He's one bad Morfu."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "That's a big affirmative."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says (to Morfu), "No, your line is, 'Shut your mouth!'"

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "Eek. Back in a sec."

Gregory has disconnected.

Gregory goes home.

[interludes] GM has added schep to the channel.

[interludes] GM has removed schep from the channel.

[interludes] GM has added schep_char to the channel.

[roguespace] Thessleton says, "I am Thessleton III, Esquire, owner of the good ship Minnow, seeker of adventure, and ladies' man."

[roguespace] Thessleton says, "Also, Wealthy."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Also known as the guy with the funny robot."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther asks, "ooh, game?"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Yep, Roguespace."

CoCGM has arrived.

CoCGM says, "beep beep"

[roguespace] Gregory says, "I'm a grizzled veteran of the Service, who somehow knows less about the military than Morfu does. I have a metal leg and a Rigellian monkey lizard named Glerk."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Must be that metal plate in your head."

Gregory has arrived.

[roguespace] GM asks (of Philip), "And you?"

[roguespace] Thessleton says, "I see you're showing flagrant disregard for my 'no pets' policy."

[roguespace] Philip says, "And I am Philip Jameson, pilot."

[roguespace] Philip says, "Skilled in many things. Including piloting."

[roguespace] Gregory says (to Thessleton), "The GM said I could."

[Crows-Nest] (from Gregory) Philip says, "And sleeping."

[roguespace] Thessleton mutters, "Hmf, who does he think he is?"

[roguespace] Philip says, "I am neutral on the subject of pets. As long as they don't touch the controls."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "And the ship's boy Davey, always eager to place himself in harm's way."

GM says, "Last time we saw our heroes, they had followed a lead to a wrecked ship belonging to the Kalvesh Edan clan. Claiming it for salvage, they sent over a shuttle to explore."

Thessleton asks, "I say, what do starhips have to do with cheese?"

CoCGM asks, "they're holey?"

Gregory asks, "Who said that?"

CoCGM asks, "Oh, uh, er, ... the ship's computer?"

[roguespace] Philip asks, "Which ship am I on, the ship or the ship?"

Gregory says (to CoCGM), "Can't be. I have it in a box in the cargo hold."

GM says, "They found its cargo, which appeared millitary to them, and have been ferrying much of it back to their own ship -- along with some other things, such as the ship's computer core and crew footlockers."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "The pilot is on the Minnow."

[roguespace] schep_char says, "which is the one that works."

[roguespace] Philip says, "Bah, boring. I should go for a short flight to keep myself alert."

GM says, "At the end of the session, Morfu and Davey were still onboard the wrecked vessel; Kinkajou and CHAUN-C were in the cargo bay of the Minnow, unloading the last of the cargo; and Gregory and Philip were on the Minnow's bridge. Thesselton's precise whereabouts were unknown, but were probably his quarters."

Thessleton says, "The brandy's precise whereabouts were also unknown, but again, probably Thessleton's quarters."

[interludes] GM says, "You feel your CPU coming online. Something must have triggered you to reactivate. Various diagnostic routines start to analyze your systems to check which are functional."

[interludes] schep_char diagnoses.

Philip toggles on the intercom. "Guys, we've got something on sensors, small and headed our way. Bigger than a breadbox, but smaller than a frigate."

Gregory takes a seat at Tactical and aims the detailed sensors on it.

[interludes] GM says, "As your main memory comes online, the last thing you are able to recall is a power surge near you, and then nothing. Otherwise, your memory checks out OK."

GM says (to Gregory), "It looks like a small ship, not much bigger than your shuttle."

Gregory pokes Glerk, who wakes up, screeches, and falls off the viewscreen.

[interludes] Robot queries the internal chronometer.

Gregory sets the computer scanning for transponder codes.

[interludes] GM says, "It records that about six months have passed since the last entry in your memory logs."

[interludes] GM says, "Your diagnostics return good on your arms, but it seems that your lower limbs aren't being detected..."

Philip says, "Let me know if you get a ping. If I'm going to have to dodge, I'd like to know what."

Gregory thumps the computer. "Hurry up, you bag of bits."

GM says, "You pick up a transmission from them..."

GM says, "...in Kalvesh."

GM says, "But the tone of voice doesn't sound happy to see you."

Philip says, "Oh, lovely."

Gregory asks (of Philip), "This thing have any translation modules?"

Philip switches on the intercom again. "Heads up. Kalvesh are here, and they don't sound pleased."

[Crows-Nest] (from Morfu) inky says, "Blow them up!"

Philip says, "Good question."

[interludes] GM says, "Senses are good too: you're in a small, enclosed space. It's dark. You're surrounded by pieces of robotic equipment."

Philip says, "I knew I should have read the manual before we left drydock."

Gregory says, "See if you can get that translated while I talk to crew."

Gregory says, "Minnow to EVA team - what's you're status? Over."

Philip checks his panels. "Looks like we're out of luck. The Translation AI socket's empty.

[interludes] Robot attempts to feel the enclosure with its arms.

[roguespace] Philip asks, "How does Linguistics work in these cases?"

[interludes] GM says, "You feel a latch at the top."

Morfu says, "Away Team to Minnow. Ready for pickup. Out."

[roguespace] Gregory asks, "Er, do they have a shuttle with them, or do we have to fly back over?"

Thessleton thumbs a message to the bridge, "Kalvesshh? What the devil are you on about?"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "We have a crew with Linguistics. Oh, hallelujuah."

[interludes] Robot attempts to open the latch, and if successful, uses the extra space to assemble itself from the nearby parts.

[roguespace] GM says, "If you have a high enough score, you can understand it (2 for common languages, 3 to answer fluently, more for less common languages)"

[Crows-Nest] Philip says, "Celebrate if it actually does some good. :)"

[roguespace] Philip stares sadly at the "1" in his Linguistics column.

[roguespace] GM says, "Also, the shuttle is in your cargo hold with Kinkajou, who's in NPC mode."

Gregory asks, "That's right, sir. While you were asleep, we found a Kalvesh derilect and claimed it for salvage. Standing orders, right?"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "When it's unloaded, recommend it returns for us."

Thessleton asks, "Err, right, of course. You mentioned a ship?"

Gregory hits a few pads. "Piping the tactical readout to your quarters now, sir."

[roguespace] GM says, "OK. Then Kinka is on his way."

Philip says, "Oh, lovely. I think I recognize some words."

Gregory shuts off Thessleton's intercom. "Twit."

Philip says, "Most notably, 'away,' 'orders,' and 'destroy.'"

GM says, "Your shuttle takes off again, for the derelict ship."

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "Care to scan that vessel for weaponry/shields?"

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "Also, are our shields 'up'?"

[interludes] GM says, "You push open the top of the crate, and see that it's inside a cargo bay. The cargo doors are closing as you look."

Gregory says, "Bah. Sounds like fightin' words. Shields up."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu senses the spirit of inky with us.

Gregory scans the Kalvesh ship for weapons and armour.

[interludes] GM says, "You're able to find your own legs in with the spare parts -- they look like they were damaged by a blast, but have been repaired. It's little trouble to get yourself reassembled."

Philip says, "Shields up. I'll have to drop 'em when the shuttle returns."

[roguespace] Gregory asks, "Did we get that salvage buoy out last game?"

Morfu says (to Davey), "Let's prepare for immediate dust-off. I don't want to hang around here any longer than I need to."

[roguespace] Gregory says, "Also, I thought I was working the shields. I am at tactical."

[roguespace] Philip says, "Oh, so you are."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Shields are pretty tactical."

Philip says, "Sorry, you'll have to drop 'em."

Gregory says, "They got their shields up too. And at least one blaster cannon."

GM says, "They're powering up weapons as they near weapons range."

Gregory says, "So they might outgun us, but we're bigger n' them. Maybe you should say something to em."

Philip says, "Anyone here speak Kalvesh? If not, I'lls ee if they know Common."

[interludes] Robot, seeing no one in the cargo bay, begins to explore the ship in search of someone who knows what happened.

GM says, "Meanwhile, Kinka sets the shuttle back down on the wrecked ship, for Morfu and Davey."

Philip says, "Right, let's see if they'll talk."

Philip clears his throat.

Gregory says, "Bridge to cargo bay - take a look at that computer in the crate. See if there are any AI modules that might fit our language socket."

[roguespace] GM asks, "Are you going into combat mode when they reach range, or are you waiting to see what they do first?"

Gregory says, "Excitable buggers - they're powering up their weapons."

Philip asks, "Attention, approaching ship. This is the Minnow. We came upon this ship and thought it abandoned and thus fair game for salvage. It was not until we boarded that we discovered it had been in a fight. What are your intentions?"

Gregory says, "I'll bring ours on line to match."

[interludes] GM says, "OK. There's an engineering-type area on this level, with no one in it. A ladder leads up to another deck."

Philip carefully disengages communication before saying, "This may get exciting, especially if they're not in the listening mood."

GM says, "There's a response. It seems to be roughly the same as the previous smessage from them, though."

[roguespace] Gregory asks, "Thessleton's the captain, right?"

Philip says, "Lovely. You'd best let our fearless leader know."

[interludes] Robot proceeds to the upper deck.

[roguespace] GM says, "Owner. Whether that makes him captain or not, don't ask me."

Gregory says, "Talk tough to em - we may be able to fool em into thinking we've got bigger guns than they do, as well as a bigger ship."

Philip says, "Worth a try."

Morfu says, "Medical Officer to Piloting. Recommend manouevering to keep hulk between bogey and Minnow. Also, recommend laying in warp course for immediate jump. Out."

Gregory says, "Shit, I forgot to turn the comm to his quarters back on."

[interludes] GM says, "The ladder leads to a kitchen. Outside the kitchen is a corridor, with a door marked Bridge at one end."

Gregory does so now. "Captain, what are our orders?"

Philip says, "Minnow to approaching ship. We are peacable, but your weapons are hot, and we will not allow you to attack us. If you persist on your current vector and with your weapons trained on us, we will be forced to blow you out of space."

Thessleton arrives on the bridge, in monogrammed pjs. "What the holy hell is going on?"

[roguespace] GM asks, "Again: do you want to enter combat as soon as they're in range, or wait for them to act?"

[interludes] Robot heads for the Bridge.

[roguespace] Philip asks, "Everyone's on board, right?"

[roguespace] Gregory says, "No, our weapons are powered up, but we're waiting for them."

[roguespace] Gregory says, "No, we're still waiting for the shuttle."

[roguespace] Morfu says (to Phil), "That's a big negative, Phil."

Gregory says (to Thessleton), "We're about to be attacked, I think."

Robot enters the bridge and inquires of the nearest person, "Is the date really 0382/47901?"

(From Gregory) Glerk scampers out from under the console and clings to Thessleton's leg.

Philip contacts the shuttle. "Be quick or potentially be in trouble. These Kalvesh seem impatient."

Thessleton exclaims, "What? Where are the other crewmen? <shakes leg> Damned amorous ape!"

GM says, "(By this point, Morfu et al. are on the shuttle if they wish, but not yet in the Minnow)"

Gregory says (to Philip), "As soon as the shuttle's abored, put the hulk between us and them."

GM says, "The door to the bridge opens again."

Robot enters the bridge and inquires of the nearest person, "Is the date really 0382/47901?"

Thessleton asks, "Have they tried to contact us at all?"

Morfu says, "Shuttle to Minnow. We are away. Returning to mothership."

Gregory says, "Yeah, but none of us speak Kalvesh."

Philip says (to Thessleton), "Tried, yes. They're speaking Kalvesh."

Thessleton says, "I took a smattering at finishing school, let me hear it."

Philip says, "I know barely enough to know they're not happy with us. They don't seem like the talking kind."

Robot asks (of Glerk), "Who is speaking Kalvesh?"

Philip replays the last two communications.

Gregory summarizes the rest of the situation.

Thessleton says, "Oh, bloody hell."

Philip says, "The very words I was hoping to hear from you."

Robot says, "The Kalveshi vessel intends to destroy the derelict immediately."

[roguespace] Gregory says (to GM), "That buoy we dropped last session, with the salvage beacon. Any chance it has sensors on it? (So we can hide behind the ship and see through it.)"

[roguespace] GM says, "Sorry, I'll ahve to say no."

Thessleton says, "Oh yes, exactly what I thought. Get the shuttle out of there and get clear."

Philip says, "The shuttle is headed our way."

Gregory says, "Huh. Let em - we've already got everything of value off it."

Gregory says, "Let's not tell them that, though."

GM says, "Due to indecision, I'm going to say that the Kalveshi ship has the first action: they fire their blasters..."

GM says, "...and the buoy explodes into little metal shards."

[roguespace] Gregory says, "What indecision? We're waiting for them to make the first move, I said."

Morfu says (to Kinkajou), "Hold on."

[roguespace] GM says, "Which they did."

Gregory watches the shuttle, ready to bring down the shields.

Thessleton says, "Ooh, bad form."

Philip says, "The buoy? Glad to know they pick the defenceless target."

Thessleton says, "Get us between them and the shuttle if you haven't already."

Philip says, "I'm on it."

GM says, "The Kalvesh voice speaks again."

Gregory checks to be sure the ships log recorded the act of aggression.

Thessleton looks over at the Robot.

[Crows-Nest] Morfu casts Tongues.

Thessleton asks, "What did they say?"

Philip tugs on his beard. "If they go after the shuttle, we're going to have a dicey time of it."

Robot says, "'We have orders from the Adran Fathers. If you do not move away from the wrecked craft, we will attack you as well.'"

[roguespace] GM asks, "Did you lower your shields for the shuttle?"

[roguespace] Gregory says, "I was waiting for you to say it was time."

Thessleton says, "Robot, tell them that we are complying."

Philip says (to Thessleton), "Gregory is right. If they want to destroy it, let them."

Robot asks, "Who is the captain? Why is this vessel here in danger?"

[roguespace] GM says, "The shuttle is out there. And there's a hostile vessel nearby. Whether or not that's time to lower shields is up to you."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "this just needs to be said"

[Crows-Nest] (from CoCGM) Robot says, "PAK CHOOIE!"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu asks, "Oona Goota, Thessleton?"

[roguespace] Gregory says, "I am going to lower the shields so that the shuttle can fly through them, then raise them again when it is through."

Philip says (to Robot), "and do not mention the shuttle."

[roguespace] GM says, "OK."

[roguespace] Gregory says, "But I don't know if it's actually here yet, or half-way between us and the ship."

Thessleton says, "Send them the message, first. Then lowr shields."

Robot steps to Comm and transmits, "Vlarg shnrak pegth."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory exclaims (at Robot), "No you are the bad robot!"

Robot asks (of Philip), "Shuttle?"

Philip says, "Exactly. You catch on quickly."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "yay"

Philip says, "C'mon, c'mon."

Robot says, "They will give about 50 seconds."

Gregory lowers the shields.

Gregory says, "Where's that shuttle? Their weapons are powering back up."

Gregory targets the other ship's blasters, but holds his fire.

Thessleton asks, "Where's that damn shuttle?"

[roguespace] GM | Morfu pages: Sorry.  Ya, we get our asses back in the bay asap.

Morfu runs up to the bridge as fast as his Dovi legs can carry him.

Philip moves the ship away from the derelict at a deliberate pace, carefully keeping the Kalvesh ship in the firing arc of the forward weapons.

Gregory snaps the shields back up.

GM says, "You watch the ship enter the derelict, the same way your shuttle did."

Thessleton says, "Get us out of here."

Gregory says, "Shit. Now they'll know what we took."

Philip says, "And won't be happy, most likely. Time to boogie."

Morfu says, "Captain, sir; recommend we inform them that international space law requires us to file a cargo manifest for all salvaged vessels, and that the contents of that report depends entirely on their actions right now."

Philip peels away from the derelict.

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Or we could just bugger off."

Thessleton says (to morfu), "Certainly, if we had a death wish. Or we could simply get ourselves elsewhere."

Gregory captures all the transponder data he can as the ship leaves.

Morfu says, "Aye aye, sir."

Philip says, "They don't seem like the law-abiding types, necessarily."

GM says, "The wrecked ship grows smaller in your sensors as you pull away."

Philip says (to Gregory), "Log our transmissions as well."

Morfu asks, "Nice translation droid. Might do a nice number on their computer core. Also, anyone happen to know who the Adran Fathers are?"

GM says, "You pick up a signal from them, growing fainter as you go, 'You have <...> property. Adran Fathers <...> Star Minnow.'"

Gregory says, "We know the Adran and the Ekan <sp?> are often at war."

[roguespace] Gregory asks, "Do I know anything about the Adran Fathers specifically?"

GM says, "And then an explosion, from the direction where the ship was."

Morfu says, "The salvage cargo might have tracking beacons on it; a check with scanners should pick any up."

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "Did the original salvaged vessel file a destination in their flight plan?"

Gregory says, "The Adran Fathers are obviously the clan leaders. Kalvesh are big on family."

[roguespace] GM says (to Morfu), "If they did, you'd need to ask the Edan to find out."

[roguespace] Morfu says (to GM), "Roger that."

Philip says, "I'd always wanted to have to talk my way out of a Kalveshi civil war."

Gregory says (to Thessleton), "If we're gonna be dealing with the Kalvesh a lot, recommend we rename the ship to something more menacing."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "The Star Candiru"

Thessleton says, "I'm thinking we ought to, ahem, 'lay low' for awhile and find out what they want so badly."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "EEEEAGH! Let's do it."

GM says, "This is, theoretically, where the first (introductory) story ends. So that's one more XP for each of you who's here now, and we can start the next story tonight."

Thessleton says, "And yes, rename the ship, since they've logged us."

Gregory stands up. "If somebody wants to take over here, I'll take the robot and start putting that computer core back together."

Thessleton asks, "Speaking of the robot, where on earth did we pick it up?"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Alright, this stuff will fetch a pretty penny on eBay."

Robot asks (of Thessleton), "You are the captain?"

Thessleton says, "Quite."

[roguespace] Gregory says, "Um, that's a good question. Why does the robot not know where it is? I assumed it was crew and/or Thessleton's property."

Robot asks (of Thessleton), "Why was I deactivated six months ago? Why am I held here on this ship?"

[roguespace] GM says, "None of you know the robot."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Maybe it's some of the 'robot parts' we salvaged."

[roguespace] GM says, "He just walked into the bridge during the confrontation."

Thessleton asks (of robot), "Where were you when you were deactivated?"

Morfu asks (of Robot), "Who is your owner?"

Philip asks (of Robot), "And when were you reactivated?"

[roguespace] Gregory says, "Oh. I'd, uh, probably have acted more surprised if I'd realized that."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "We're a very cool bunch, the Candiru crew."

Robot says, "I was deactivated six months ago in Rivertown on Glarnis 2."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM asks, "your ship. is called. candiru?"

[Crows-Nest] Philip says, "If Morfu has his way"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Heh. Maybe. That's up to the owner."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "I'd pee myself laughing, but enh"

Robot says, "My circuits reactivated five minutes ago in a cargo bay on this vessel."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says (to CoCGM), "You'd try to, but then you'd die."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "It was the Star Minnow when we started. Morfu and I are are petitioning the owner to rechristen it."

Robot says, "And I am a free Robot. My name is Peter."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "exactly"

Philip says, "Pleased to meet you, Peter. Fine job of translating back then, and with exquisite timing."

[roguespace] Philip says, "er, 'back there'"

Thessleton says, "Yes, good show. Bear with us a bit and we'll see if we can't figure out what appened to you. But first, we need to go to ground."

Robot_Peter asks, "How did I come to the cargo bay?"

Thessleton says, "Those Kalvesh sounded a trifle upset at the end, there."

Gregory is lurking by the bridge door.

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "or rather"

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "I'll wish I was dead"

Philip activates his duplicate IFF panel and begins altering their transponder signal. "Thessleton, you have a new ship name in mind?"

Thessleton looks around at the crew, "Did one of you bring the robot aboard from the derelict?

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "Uh, did we?"

Thessleton says, "Naturally. The Night Wolf."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Damn."

[roguespace] Gregory asks, "I don't recall a complete robot. Were there robot parts?"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "There was a crate of robot parts, yes."

[roguespace] GM says, "There was a crate of parts, yes. You didn't unload them to see if there was enough for a whole robot or not."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "It might have got caught up on a skid of the shuttle, I guess, or something."

Morfu returns to the cargo bay to investigate the bin of robot parts.

Thessleton gets on the intercom. "CHAUN-C, see if the crate of robot parts in the cargo bay has been opened and tell me if so."

Morfu doesn't, then.

[roguespace] Gregory says, "Aha. This is why I was confused - I thought CHAUN-C *was* Robot."

Philip types, tap tap tap. "Done. We are now The Night Wolf, nee Star Minnow."

[roguespace] Philip says, "So did I, actually."

Robot_Peter says, "Yes, I was in a 'crate of robot parts' and had to largely reassemble myself."

[Crows-Nest] (from Morfu) Night Wolf says, "Michael, why are you driving so fast? Oh good, a fjord."

CHAUN-C signals, "Mmmmyes, sir. It has, sir."

Gregory mutters. "Free robot. Ain't no such thing. I'm gonna go look at that computer."

[roguespace] Gregory says, "heads down to the cargo hold."

Thessleton says, "Well, then, sorry about that. You must've been among the salvage we claimed from the derelict."

Morfu says (to Peter), "It appears you were abducted by the Kalveshi. We have now liberated you."

Gregory heads down to the cargo hold.

Robot_Peter says, "Thank you all."

Philip asks, "I am still curious. If you were deactivated, how did you end up reactivated?"

Morfu asks (of Peter), "You're not, err, inordinately fond of the Kalvesh, are you, by any chance?"

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "See Threepio. See Threepio Run. Run Threepio Run"

Thessleton says, "Think nothing of it. Your timing was impeccable, and more than adequate thanks."

Robot_Peter says (to Philip), "I cannot say. Something must have triggered a bootup circuit."

GM says (to Gregory), "You locate the pieces of the core. The cargo bay is rather full, so it's a bit of work getting them out, but you can manage it."

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "I have had little contact with any Kalvesh."

Thessleton signals to CHAUN-C, "I am parched. Bring me a sherry at once."

Morfu asks (of Peter), "What is your primary role?"

Robot_Peter asks (of Morfu), "Pardon?"

Morfu asks (of Peter), "If I were to purchase a robot of your make and model, what role would I be buying it for?"

Gregory looks around, and mutters to himself. "Bah. Not much space here - I'll wait till everyone stops mooning over that machine, then get them to help me."

GM says, "CHAUN-C enters the bridge, holding a tray with a glass of sherry on it."

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "To my knowledge, I am the only robot of my type, and not for sale."

Thessleton says, "Ah, perfect."

Gregory instead uncrates his armour and starts cleaning it and making repairs.

Thessleton sips his liquor.

Thessleton says, "Really? Marvelous."

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "How far away are we from 'home base'?"

Philip asks, "What were you doing before you were deactivated?"

[roguespace] GM says, "The ship doesn't really have a 'home base' as such -- each of you came from different planets, and were hired by Thessleton."

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "So, cap'n, where we goin?"

Robot_Peter says, "I was land skimming to purchase computer parts and tools."

Robot_Peter says, "It seems as though I was blasted, but I did not see by what or whom."

Thessleton says, "Hmm, search the database for a low tech frontier planet with good hunting."

Morfu asks, "Tactical/Piloting, can you confirm that we're not 'being followed'?"

Thessleton says, "You blokes can play with that computer core while I take my exercise, then we'll see where Peter would like to go once the 'heat is off'."

Philip says, "I'll check, but if we want to be sure I'll need someone at tactical."

CHAUN-C says, "The nearest planet with... 'good hunting'... is New Calpos. Does not meet search criterion... 'low tech frontier'..."

Philip sets up a sensor sweep, focusing specifically on the rear quadrant.

Thessleton says (to CHAUN-C), "Hmm, give me a summary of New Calpos."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Probably a Cthulhian hellhole."

Philip asks, "New Calpos?"

Philip says, "Hm. It's been a while since I was there, but it had a good black market once upon a time."

CHAUN-C says, "New Calpos... member of the United Nations and Affiliated Colonies of Earth... primary city: New Calpos City..."

Philip says, "One that had heavy trade in Kalvesh equipment, I might add."

CHAUN-C says, "Attractions the Daybreak Park hunting ground... specializing in otherwise extinct creatures..."

Morfu says, "Peter, can you think of any good reason why you might be useful to a rebel insurgency in a covert civil war? Other than speaking Kalveshi, that is."

Thessleton exclaims, "Hmm, extinct animals, and a black market. Bully!"

Gregory swears at his equipment, crates it up again. "Cargo bay to bridge - anyone wanna give me a hand with this computer core?"

Robot_Peter says, "None, other than slave technician."

Philip says (to Morfu), "Why don't you give Gregory a hand down there."

Thessleton says (to CHAUN-C), "Go assist them as well."

Robot_Peter asks, "Is that the core from the derelict?"

CHAUN-C says, "Mmmyes, sir."

Philip says, "Gregory, we're sending help your way."

Morfu asks, "Slave technician?"

Thessleton says, "Indeed."

Robot_Peter asks, "I would be interested in examining it. With your permission?"

GM asks (of Gregory), "CHAUN-C goes to help you move the core. Where are you setting it up?"

Thessleton says (to philip), "Might as well lay in a course for New Calpos, by the way. Seems to meet our needs."

Gregory clicks the intercom. "That's right." . o O "Was that the robot? They're allowed to ask questions now?"

Thessleton says (to Peter), "Be my guest."

Philip says (to Thessleton), "By your command."

Morfu gets around to taking off his vaccsuit.

Robot_Peter follows the others to the bay and helps move the core to Engineering.

Gregory says (to CHAUN-C), "Over in engineering, so we can interface it to ours if we have to. As a slave module, of course."

Morfu wanders down to core.

Gregory says, "We also wanna make sure it doesn't get damaged if we hit any trouble."

GM says, "Gregory, CHAUN-C, and Peter start work on that -- it'll take a little bit of time."

GM asks, "Anyone else have anything they want to do on the way?"

Morfu asks, "Engineering officer, given that the last ship this core was connect to exploded, is that necessarily a good idea?"

Thessleton says, "Good lord, I'm still in my pjs. The bridge is yours, Mr. Philip, while I find some clothes."

Morfu says, "Ehh, I'll continue some medical scanning / DNA sequencing of the corpses."

Thessleton goes to change.

Gregory says (to Morfu), "No. It's a last resort."

Philip hums to himself on the bridge.

Morfu asks (of Gregory), "Can't we power it up without interfacing it to the ship?"

Gregory says (to Morfu), "Sure, but if big chunks of it are missing we might have to work around it."

Gregory says, "Don't worry, I'm not gonna just hook it up to our weapons or anything - we'll just start poking at it and see where it goes from there."

Gregory does so.

Morfu says, "I see your point. Peter might be able to help us with that, of course, with its extensive slave technician skills."

GM says, "You are able to get the computer assembled, and connect power to it."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Suddenly, the Wolf Minnow blows up."

GM says, "It starts up, and begins giving you a stream of error messages."

Morfu says (to Gregory), "The datapad might have some debugging/maintenance data."

Gregory asks (of Robot), "Any way to turn those into UN Standard so we can all read it?"

Robot_Peter says, "It may possibly be programmed with multiple charsets."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu exclaims, "Great, error messages in Engrish. NO SMORKING!"

Robot_Peter says, "It appears to be operating normally."

Gregory says, "So it normally dumps a stream of error messages? No wonder they blew up."

Robot_Peter fiddles with the controls.

Robot_Peter rolls 1 6-sided die: 2 | 2 + 3 = 5

Philip turns on the intercom. "Bridge to Cargo Bay. Any luck with that core?"

Morfu says, "It's hooked into a foreign ship. That's usually not good. Probably doesn't have the right warp drive drivers installed."

Robot_Peter says, "It is not designed to operate without a ship's usual systems attached."

GM says (to Philip), "As you pass near a Jazz system, you're able to pick up some decent deep space radio systems for a while."

Gregory says, "Still working."

GM says, "The display blanks, then comes back up in English."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "We're warping, warping; we be warping at the feet of the Lord."

Philip says (to GM), "Excellent."

Gregory elbows the Robot out of the way and starts poring over the error messages.

Morfu says, "Ehh, get to the ship's log already."

Gregory asks (of Morfu), "Don't you have corpses to look at?"

Morfu says, "They can wait."

Gregory tries to get the thing to spit out its log.

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "Since the core is hooked into the ship, can anyone view it from within the ship network at a local undedicated station?"

[roguespace] Gregory says, "It's only hooked up to ship's power."

[roguespace] Robot_Peter says, "I don't think we hooked it into the ship, except for a power connection."

GM says (to Gregory), "'Device Not Found: Life Support. Life Support controls disabled.' 'Power Core: Missing! Cannot Regulate Power Systems...'"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Oh, good."

GM says, "And so forth."

[roguespace] GM says, "(Sorry for delay, was offline a minute)"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Ship's weapons found. Energy level set to %2000. Safety protocols overridden."

GM says, "But the Robot has managed to get the system to work despite the errors, luckily. It'll accept input."

Gregory types, "> READ LOG"

[roguespace] Thessleton says, "Last of the red hot hackers."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu laughs aloud.

[roguespace] Philip says, "There is no writing on the log."

Gregory rolls 1 6-sided die: 1 | 1

Gregory says, "Bah. I have no idea what I'm doing."

GM says, "Bad Command or File Name."

Robot_Peter says, "Let's view the log entries for the past week."

Robot_Peter rolls 1 6-sided die: 6 | 6 + 3 = 9

[roguespace] Thessleton says, "Hee, instant karma."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "You got yer ass kicked by a robot, funny man."

GM says, "A window pops up, and fills with scrolling text."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "That's what we built em for."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "Er, talking to computers, not kicking our asses."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Ass-Kickin driver found; file WHOOP_ASS.CAN opened."

GM says, "There's the captain's log, and there's the computer access log."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Ahh, so READ LOG gave a Which log do you mean, the log or the log? error."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "Right at the end of the computer access log is Gregor: CAT-LIKE TYPING DETECTED."

[Crows-Nest] Philip says (to Gregory), "heh"

GM says, "According to the former, the ship was an Edan millitary supply vessel. It was on a mission to deliver arms and other equipment to a system not far from the Adran home."

GM says, "It was a part of a secret offensive, to strike against the Adran -- a strike the Adran weren't supposed to know about."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, ">READ INFO.DUMP"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "PLOT PLOT WITH PLOTTER"

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "I am reminded of the spaceship in Mostly Harmless"

[Crows-Nest] Robot_Peter asks, "with the Bistromathics?"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu puts on some Beastie Boys -- Intergalactic.

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "no, where it's hit by the meteorite"

Morfu says, "Last computer access log may indicate sabotage."

GM says, "The computer access log is mostly generic stuff -- systems starting up and shutting down, modulating life support, etc. There are records of the captain's logs being stored, and other data being entered into the computer. The most recent entries are primarily error messages from when you just hooked it up."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "We be talkin da beastie boys Sabotage, y'all."

Morfu says, "Check the error messages prior to our connection. Sir."

Gregory asks, "Any other big chunks of data being entered we can look at?"

Robot_Peter does so.

Gregory says, "s/big/noticeable"

[Crows-Nest] Gregory asks, "Did I just say, 's/big/noticeable' in character?"

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "I do that in real life sometimes, too."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu asks, "Did you buy Geek/6 ?"

[Crows-Nest] Robot_Peter says, "In the future, perl is the only computer language."

GM says, "'Hull breach: activating door seals 01' 'Hull breach: activating door seals 02' 'Primary power failing: switching to backup power'..."

[Crows-Nest] Philip says, "Yie."

Morfu hmms.

[Crows-Nest] Philip says, "I look away from this window for a minute, and when I look back, I see the GM saying those things."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM asks (of Gregory), "do you say "ess slash x slash y" or "ess x y"?"

GM says, "And, later, 'Backup power failing. Shutting down'"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu exclaims, "Captain's log reads: Someone set us up the bomb!"

[Crows-Nest] (from Gregory) GM says, "'Calling Azathoth'"

Robot_Peter rolls 1 6-sided die: 3 | 3 + 3 = 6

Robot_Peter says, "Not much other data being entered, but here's a cargo manifest."

Robot_Peter brings it up and looks it over.

Morfu says, "We should check the ship schematics, too. There was one blown-out section we had difficulty identifying."

Philip subtly steers the ship from side to side in time with the music he's listening to.

Robot_Peter finds a schematic as well.

Morfu says, "Also, Peter: please confirm that the crew manifest and life-support statistics both confirm four Kalvesh crew."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Heh. Every hacker knows that the first couple error messages are the only important ones."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM exploits a bug:

GM says, "Top deck: bridge. Two consoles facing a large viewscreen. A couple stand-up cabinets at the reacr of the room. Hatch in the floor leading down."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM >BOTH PETER AND PETER, MOVE DOOR

Morfu says, "That checks out."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Really? Keen beans."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu asks, "That was a Suspended bug/puzzle, yes?"

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "works in Suspended, yes"

GM says, "Middle deck: Crew quarters (accomodation for four) to aft, cargo bays to port and starboard, and a weapons bay to fore. Two blaster cannons and a torpedo launcher."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, ">BOTH X AND Y, MOVE FRED"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Alright, I know workarounds for games I haven't even played. I need a life."

GM says, "Lower deck: Engineering: computer core, power core, engine access."

Morfu says, "Weapons bay was what blew first, apparently."

Gregory says, "Yeah, thought tat was the weapon bay that blew."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "hee hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Ahh crap, we found the Kursk."

[Crows-Nest] CoCGM says, "oh no nukular damage"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Torpedoes were probably nukes; I can't remember if I med-scanned for radiation damage. If all my hair falls out, I'll let ya know."

Morfu asks (of Peter), "And the personnel records?"

Philip says, "Bridge to all hands. We are in communication range of New Calpos."

Thessleton meanders up to the bridge.

[Crows-Nest] (from Morfu) inky says, "Blow it up!"

Philip says (to Thessleton), "Rested and changed, I see."

Thessleton says, "Make landing arrangements, and be careful not to use any of our real names."

Gregory says (to Robot), "See what else you can find. I'll go take tactical, just in case."

Philip contacts orbital control and begins negotiations for landing.

[Crows-Nest] (from Morfu) Night Wolf spends two weeks in a holding pattern.

Morfu decides to hang around and keep an eye on Peter, just in case.

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "Four crewmen is correct."

Morfu says, "Roger that."

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "Psi telepathy doesn't work on sentient robots. Does it?"

Robot_Peter says, "positions captain, first officer, weapons specialist, and engineer."

Philip says (to Orbital Control), "What d'you mean, you need felicitous patterns -- yes, I'll hold."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Felicitous Patterns is the hottest babe on Sex in the City."

Philip says (to Orbital Control), "Understood, control."

Thessleton asks, "Felicitous patterns?"

Morfu asks, "Peter, which hull breach blew first? Bridge or Weapons? Or were they virtually simultaneous?"

Philip says (to Thessleton), "We're headed for an orbiting transit station."

Thessleton says, "Ah, lovely."

Philip says (to Thessleton), "which seems to be where they process visitors."

Thessleton asks, "Anyone else being routed there?"

[roguespace] GM says, "It doesn't."

Philip moves the Star Min^H^H^H^H^H^H^HNight Wolf towards the station.

Morfu says (to Thessleton), "Note that we have corpses in our cargo, sir."

Thessleton rubs his forehead. "Wonderful."

Thessleton asks, "Maybe we ought to have spaced them before now, Mr. Morfu?"

Morfu says (to Thessleton), "I am a well-respected medical researcher, sir. Happy to call them specimens under research."

Philip says (to Thessleton), "No one else moving, but several ships are docked."

Thessleton says (to morfu), "Right. That'll have to do."

Thessleton says (to philip), "Ok, seems safe enough."

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "It seems the engineer interacted with the computer, but the transaction is hidden or deleted."

Robot_Peter says, "I'll try again to find out about that entry."

Robot_Peter rolls 1 6-sided die: 3 | 3 + 3 = 6

Morfu says, "Peter, Roger that. Good work."

Gregory asks, "Huh. An inside job?"

Morfu says (to Gregory), "Possible, Engineering. May want to cross-reference suicide bombers against the Klavesh insurrection."

Controller asks, "Night Wolf, will you be docking with a personell port or a cargo port?"

Robot_Peter continues probing the core patiently.

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "TSD. So, so D."

Philip asks (of Controller), "What are the restrictions on the two?"

CoCGM has disconnected.

CoCGM goes home.

[Crows-Nest] Morfu asks, "Need any thermal paste there, big guy?"

[Crows-Nest] Robot_Peter says, "I have adhesive strips, thanks."

Morfu says, "Peter, please define Slave Technician."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Zero-G freaks."

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "That was just a guess. I have no idea why they'd want me."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Slave Technician, speaking of TSD."

Controller says, "If you intend to route cargo to the surface via the station, it's recommended that you attach to a cargo port."

Morfu says (to Peter), "That's not an answer."

Philip says (to Controller), "Right, a cargo port, then."

Controller says, "Very good. Please dock at port C-fourteen."

Thessleton looks the station over.

Philip says (to Controller), "Will do, and thanks."

Morfu asks, "Slave in the sense of slaving an unintelligent robot to a controller, or in the sense of ownership bondage of sentient creatures and/or machines?"

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "What do you want? Slave: someone forced to work and without freedom. Technician: someone skilled at engineering and hacking."

GM says (to Thessleton), "It's nice and shiny. Someone's probably been putting lots of tax money into making it look like a nice place for tourism."

Morfu says, "Ah, I understand. Roger that. My thanks."

Morfu says, "I'm a doctor, damnit, not a slave driver."

Morfu asks, "Peter, are you currently configured with nonlethal weaponry for the control of slaves?"

GM says, "There's a quiet *thump* as the ship's magnetic locks bump against the station's, and you're linked."

Gregory watches his board and stays out of the conversation.

Robot_Peter says, "Nothing but my limbs."

Philip says, "And here we are."

Morfu says, "We're here. I sincerely hope you will stay on as a member of the crew, though I cannot speak for the captain, of course."

Controller says, "Thank you for choosing to visit New Calpos. A station representative will be sent to meet you at port C14."

Thessleton says, "Hmm, good. They're trying to impress. Money should speak loudly here."

Morfu says (to Peter), "Perhaps we should convene at the bridge for the welcoming committee."

Thessleton puts on his pith helmet, and shoul.

Gregory asks, "We have money? Since when?"

Thessleton says, "CHAUN-C, bring my bags."

Gregory says (to Thessleton), "Did you check their weapons policy/"

Gregory asks, "?"

Robot_Peter asks (of Morfu), "we?"

CHAUN-C says, "Yes, sirrr."

Morfu says, "If you wish to move freely around New Calpos, you may need a visa issued, or some such."

Thessleton says (to gregory), "Pish tosh, don't be silly. If they allow hunting, then they allow hunting rifles."

Thessleton says, "Yes, yes. CHAUN-C, come along."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says (to Thessleton), "That's one of the cleverest things I've ever seen in an RPG. Well done, sir."

Robot_Peter says, "I'm sure I could get one later."

Thessleton strides down to meet the representative, calling over his shoulder, "Be good chaps and take care of the cargo. Oh, and try to be discreet, will you?"

Robot_Peter says, "I'm still attempting to find that Kalvesh engineer's entry."

Morfu says, "Ah. Well, then."

Philip says (to Thessleton), "I'm trying to find out about station regs, you might want to -- damn."

Gregory hooks into the planetside computer network and looks up weapons regulations.

Philip says, "Okay, we're under UNACE weapons regs. Keep your blasters holstered."

[roguespace] Morfu asks (of GM), "Can I do a Wisdom roll or something to see if Peter is being sincere, or just obstinant and hiding something about not wanting to leave the core?"

Philip says, "And they may search the cargo we ship planetside."

Philip says, "Short of that, we should be fine."

Robot_Peter rolls 1 6-sided die: 6 | 6 + 3 = 9

Philip stands and stretches.

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Damn that bot."

[roguespace] CHAUN-C says (to Morfu), "I think that, since Peter's not actively rolling for sincerity, rolling to detect wouldn't be needed."

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "Erm, so, what's my sense? Is he being a big jerk here, or what?"

[roguespace] Thessleton says, "Goodness, I had no idea CHAUN-C was so versatile. :)"

Robot_Peter says, "Aha. There are some files disguised as fs errors."

Philip says, "If some of you are going to stay and work on the core, I think I'll see what's up station-side."

Morfu says, "Fine work. Glad we liberated you instead of taking a crate of food rations instead."

[roguespace] GM says (to Morfu), "I'm going to say you have to decide that for yourself -- that's your RP :)"

[roguespace] Morfu says (to GM), "Roger that."

Gregory looks for Kalvesh activity while he's at the big board.

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "If I want to 'unplug' / powerdown the core, is that a tricky engineering thing, or just pulling a plug?"

Philip locks down the piloting board and heads for the exit.

Robot_Peter says, "They are encrypted, but I'll load them off this core."

Morfu says, "Ah, good. I think Gregory has had some success with their encryption."

Robot_Peter extends an interface cord from his side to the Kalvesh core.

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "Gregory? I believe these files were the Kalvesh engineer's."

[roguespace] GM says (to Morfu), "Pulling the plug will take it offline, but it may need to run scandisk on startup..."

GM says (to Philip), "A few moments after you step off the ship, a man in a snazzy polygyrene suit strides up to you, grinning broadly."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Roger that. Thanks."

Mylan says, "Welcome to New Calpos! I'm Jarvis Mylan. It's a pleasure to have you and your crew here."

[roguespace] Gregory says, "Hm, GM just renamed himself so I can't whisper:"

Mylan shakes Philip's hand most sincerely.

[roguespace] Gregory asks, "Any Kalvesh posting to local message boards and such?"

Philip says (to Mylan), "Pleased to meet you. Any recommendations for entertainment around here? We've been in space a while."

Philip smiles winningly.

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Yes; that is a bit of a pain, isn't it. Still, we're all grown-ups here, so unless you plan on blasting away your fellow PC, it's probably ok public."

[roguespace] Mylan says (to Gregory), "There are listings for things like Klavesh restaurants and clothing stores and such, but most folks don't ahve their species listed in their posts."

[roguespace] Gregory says, "Can I tell by names and other cultural stuff? (Gee, I bet that's a - culture roll!)"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Check for Klaveshi names."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Also, yes."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Also, posts in Klaveshi are probably a gimmie."

Mylan exclaims, "Ah, then you'll want a good meal. I bet you're tired of space rations, right? Eh? Try the Red Eagle. It's *fab*ulous!"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "New Calpos -- the gayest planet in all of the Gayness system."

Philip says, "The Red Eagle, eh? It sounds good."

Philip says, "Of course, as you point out, after space rations anything sounds good."

Mylan exclaims, "Will your crew be looking for accomodations planetside? There's a lovely grand hotel, just erected, in the south plaza. Jacuzzis in every suite. You'll *love* it!"

[roguespace] Mylan says (to Greg), "I'd call that a cultural roll."

Gregory rolls 1 6-sided die: 5 | 5 + 1 = 6

Philip says, "A new hotel, with jacuzzis? My, New Calpos has grown since I was last here."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "That new business in robo-brothels has really stimulated the economy."

[roguespace] Mylan says (to Greg), "Yeah, you can see a thriving Kalveshi culture here."

Philip says, "One of the benefits of being part of UNACE, I suppose. And with all that trade that comes through here."

Mylan asks, "And do you like hunting? Oh, I *bet* you do... I can tell. Have you heard about the Daybreak Park?"

[roguespace] Gregory says, "Ok. Now to decide whether to stay away from it or not."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "I've never been happier since joining EUNUCH."

[roguespace] Gregory asks, "Can I tell if any of the two clans we're dealing with has a presence here?"

Philip asks, "I haven't, actually. But our captain is very fond of hunting. What's the hunting like at Daybreak Park?"

[roguespace] Mylan says, "There are mentins of both, but it's not clear whether they have members on this world, or if they're just well known in Kalveshi circles."

Robot_Peter signals over the ship, "Captain, are you still on board? I'd like a word with you."

Mylan exclaims, "They say it's fan*tas*tic! Creatures that you can't see anywhere else in the galaxy!"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "What's the population of this city and planet, again? Like, an order of magnitude."

Morfu glances at R. Peter.

[roguespace] Mylan says, "On the order of a million or two."

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "The city or the planet? Or both?"

Mylan says, "About a million for the planet, with maybe half a million in smaller towns scattered around."

[roguespace] Mylan says, "About a million for the planet, with maybe half a million in smaller towns scattered around."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Roger, thanks."

Robot_Peter answers the glance, "I wish to know whether to copy the encrypted files to the ship's computer as well, or if the captain prefers to have less evidence of the Kalvesh attack and our involvement."

Philip asks, "You're quite the tout. Are you with a representation company?"

Morfu asks (of Peter), "Is it possible the files are viral?"

Gregory hits the intercom. "Doc, you there?"

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "The contents might be, but the files are encrypted."

Morfu says (to Gregory), "Roger. Go ahead."

Gregory asks, "You want to stay with the ship, or should I?"

Mylan grins, "Just a lowly public servant -- I'm here with the New Calpos tourism bureau -- 'Your desire is our answer!'."

Morfu says (to Peter), "My recommendation is to wait for authorization to copy, which is what you're doing. Nice to see you're settling in."

Morfu says (to Gregory), "I'm happy remaining shipside for now. Have a blast out there. I'll hold down the fort for the meantime."

Philip says, "Wonderful! I wish more planets had such services."

Gregory says, "Right. I'll try and catch up to our fearless leader and see about selling some of this stuff."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Actually, this is not very unlike the reception I've received as a member of a foreign navy. At all."

Mylan asks, "Would you like me to get you a transport crew? We can have your cargo shipped down to the planet for you for a small fee, wherever you like. Do you know where it's going to, yet?"

Gregory locks down tactical, and leaves.

Philip says, "Mind you, it wasn't like that the last time I was here. I remember there were some awful problems with black market smuggling, making it hard to conduct legitimate business."

Morfu says (to Peter), "The captain has left the ship for now, leaving me as the ranking officer."

Gregory remembers something, turns back, and grabs a leash for his monkey.

Philip says, "A transport crew? Quite possibly, though I'd have to check with our captain."

Mylan says, "Oh, *them*. They have been a *thorn* in our *side* for... pfah. But don't you worry. Just stick with us, and we'll make sure they don't get in your way."

Morfu asks (of Peter), "Can you download the files into yourself and work on decrypting them internally?"

Philip asks, "Good to know. I tell you what: let me confer with my captain. How can I get in touch with you to make arrangements for transport crew and the like?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Gregory) Mylan says (to Mylan), "I read you loud and clear. Now get the hell away from me."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Wink wink, nod nod."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "Er, Morfu says (to...)"

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "I have just completed downloading them."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Actually, a really gay robot ambassador would be pretty funny too."

Mylan says, "If you need anything -- just *anything*! -- you give me a beep. Oh, and don't forget to check in on the public 'Net. You'll find almost anything you want there."

Morfu asks (of Peter), "Do you have a predicted mean time to breaking the encryption?"

Philip says, "Wonderful. You've been most helpful. I'll see if I can track down my captain."

Philip says, "Thanks again, sir."

Mylan grins, "It is my *pleasure*!"

Philip shakes Mylan's hand.

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Where the hell is Sarge, anyway? He's be rather quiet."

[Crows-Nest] Philip says, "Sarge is Philip"

Robot_Peter says, "Hard to estimate. Hours to weeks, perhaps. Or maybe not at all."

[Crows-Nest] Philip says, "who has been talking to Mylan this whole time."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Err, where's the captain guy then."

Mylan goes off to find some other tourists to smile at.

Gregory steps out of the ramp, just in time to catch Mylan leaving. "Who was the pretty-boy?"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Damnit I can never keep up with all these nicks."

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Thessleton, aka Whizzard?"

Philip says, "Local representative from commerce and tourism. Offered to help us get a transport crew."

Gregory says, "Bah. Ignore him - we can find our own, cheaper."

Philip says, "He was kind enough to assure me that, if we stay with them, we won't have to worry about dealing with the black market."

Morfu says (to Peter), "The computing power of the ship's computer would help, I presume."

Philip says, "If they are all wearing suits like that, we should have no problem seeing them from a distance."

Philip asks, "Have you seen Thessleton?"

Philip says, "Mylan did tell me of a hunting park I'm sure he'll be interested in."

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "Certainly."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Oh yeah. I should make some notes on these things."

Gregory asks, "I found the local Kalvesh. Do we want to get in touch with them and find the next-of-kin for those slabs in the hold?"

Gregory says, "I thought he was out here with you."

Morfu says (to Peter), "I'm not trying to be unreasonable here; I hope you see that. Put yourself in my shoes."

Philip says, "He's wandered off? Wonderful."

Robot_Peter asks (of Morfu), "And what shoes are those?"

Morfu says (to Peter), "You bring aboard a person from a vessel which may be hostile which is then destroyed by a similar vessel which is definitely hostile."

Morfu says (to Peter), "I hope you understand my reluctance to opening the ship's computer to you."

Philip says (to Gregory), "I'm willing, but I'd like Peter to accompany me if he will, since he speaks Kalvesh."

Gregory asks, "Do you know if he's trying to sell the cargo, or is he leaving it up to us?"

Morfu says (to Peter), "On the other hand, if you wanted, you could probably beat me senseless without breaking a sweat. So to speak."

Philip throws up his hands. "He's been extremely tight-lipped while talking a lot."

Morfu says (to Peter), "So all other things being equal, I'm inclined to trust you."

Morfu says (to Peter), "Still, uploading a file which may very well be self-destruct commands to our ship leaves me a bit squeemish, as I'm sure you understand."

Gregory says, "Right, then. Assume he's handling it - it's his cargo. So long as I get paid, I'm happy - I'm gonna go find a bar."

Philip asks, "Why don't you see if you can track him down, and be on the lookout for people with more subdued suits to deal with our cargo. I'll check with Peter and see about those Kalvesh. You have directions?"

Gregory hands Philip a pad.

Morfu says (to Peter), "Would it be possible to break up the files into small pieces, upload them, work on decrypting them, delete them, so that the entire file is never in memory at once? That sounds like more of an acceptable risk."

Philip says, "That should do nicely. Carry a comm, in case we have to reach you in a hurry."

Philip says, "I'll be sure to have one as well."

Gregory says, "Already picked one up from ship's stores."

Gregory waves, wanders away down the pier, chattering at Gleek.

GM asks, "So who is going where, exactly?"

Philip re-enters the ship and finds Peter.

[roguespace] Philip says, "I'm going to talk to Peter and see if he'll come find the Kalvesh with me."

Morfu is with Peter shipside. Lousy duty rotation schedule.

[roguespace] Morfu says (to Phil), "Uh, oh. Well, let's see how that works out."

Gregory says, "I'm gonna poke in and out of bars, half to check out the black market, and half to get drunk."

[interludes] GM has removed Robot_Peter from the channel.

Robot_Peter says, "Most decryption algorithms operate on an entire file as a whole."

[interludes] GM has added Thessleton to the channel.

Morfu says (to Peter), "I'm not entirely convinced we need to decrypt these files at all."

Robot_Peter says, "Although they might be studied as fractions."

[interludes] GM asks, "So you've gone to find a shuttle from the station down to the park, right?"

Morfu says (to Peter), "They're not exactly a smoking gun, but they're certainly an indication of some sort that things are out of the ordinary."

[interludes] GM asks, "Public bus, or hiring a taxi?"

Philip says, "...Peter? Oh, there you two are."

[interludes] Thessleton says, "Right. I assume the crew will sell the cargo without needing me. If not, well, we can sort it out later."

Morfu says (to Peter), "Given that the engineer is dead, as far as we know, I'm not sure this is a dead horse that needs any more beating."

Morfu says, "Hello, Philip."

[interludes] Thessleton says, "Taxi, naturally."

[interludes2] GM has added Gregory to the channel.

[roguespace] Robot_Peter asks, "Is Thessleton missing?"

Philip says (to Peter), "I was wondering if you might help me for a minute. I'm going to go find the local Kalvesh and see if they want the bodies of their clansmates. I could use a translator."

[roguespace] Gregory asks, "Or just Whizzard?"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "I haven't seen him check in for quite some time."

[interludes2] GM asks, "Are you taking a public bus down to the city, or hiring a taxi?"

Thessleton isn't idle.

Morfu says (to Philip), "As one accustomed to dealing with corpses, I'm not sure that is wise at this junction."

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "I disagree. The contents of files so carefully hidden in a situation so poorly understood are probably rather interesting."

Philip asks (of Morfu), "Oh?"

[interludes] GM says, "Right-o. The lights of the city behind you give way to the open forests in front of you. The taxi sets down in an open lot, outside a large, stylish building."

Morfu says (to Peter), "I don't exactly disagree with you; I just put a different weighting on the risk versus reward."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "Public bus."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "If they let the monkey on."

Morfu asks (of Philip), "Well, what do you plan on, exactly? Hey, we've got some corpses, do you recognize these particular pieces of bodies?"

[interludes] Thessleton says, "I pay the taxi driver, and CHAUN-C and I walk towards the building."

[roguespace] Philip says (to GM), "Say, how late are we going? I'm still a little wiped out."

Philip says, "No, more along the lines of 'We found a ship with some of your comrades, and were able to recover the bodies. Would you like to take them and honor them in your fashion?'"

Philip says, "I assume you've found nothing more damning than they died of explosive decompression."

[interludes2] GM says, "OK. There's a few minute's wait for a transport to arrive, but when it does, it's mostly empty. The pilot neither notices nor cares that there's an animal there -- in fact, from the stains on the floor, he's probably not the first."

[roguespace] GM says (to Philip), "How late do you want to go? I can wrap up more or less here if you want, or go a little further."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "Wonderful planet. I feel right at home."

Morfu says (to Philip), "Determining who among the Klavesh is a comrade and who is an enemy is rather difficult and potentially dangerous at this point, is my only concern."

[roguespace] Philip says, "I'd like to end within an hour at the latest."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "I'm good for quite some time, whatever impact that might have."

[interludes] GM says, "Glass (well, synthetic glass -- cheaper and more durable than the real stuff) doors open into a spacious lobby. There's a recption desk here, with a fuman (and female) receptionist behind it."

[roguespace] Gregory says, "I need to eat sometime soon."

[interludes] GM says, "(As well as elevators, nice comfy seats, and so forth."

[roguespace] Philip asks (of Gregory), "What was the clan these Kalvesh were from again?"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Edan. Apparently."

[interludes2] GM asks, "Are you looking up any particular places, or just walking the streets until you find someplace suitably seedy?"

[roguespace] Gregory says, "Edan's the dead guys, they were sneak attacking the - uh, starts with A."

[interludes] Thessleton says, "Excellent, removing my pith hat and walk up to her (btw, I'm fine with playing until whenever), and say, "Good day, madam. I am interested in one of your hunting excursions."

Philip says, "Kalvesh aren't devious. We find some Edan, we should be fine."

[roguespace] Philip asks, "Adarn?"

[interludes2] Gregory asks, "No spaceport bars right by the docks?"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "We could strip the names out of the ship's log and post a cagey post to the Net about anyone who might be concerned about their welfare. And see who responds."

[roguespace] GM says, "OK, we'll wrap up around 9:30 or 10:00."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "In that case I'll just wander."

Morfu says, "Evidence indicates that someone on the crew sabotaged the vessel. So not every Edan is necessarily onside, if you see my point."

[interludes2] GM says, "In this case, the 'dock' is in orbit, and is run by the tourism bureau"

[roguespace] Philip says (to Morfu), "Philip's confident enough to wander on in to the Kalvesh, figuring if he has to he'll charm his way out."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "Oh, right. Bleah."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "Ok, I'm gonna look up the tourism bureau in the stuff I downloaded, and then head to the other side of the city."

Philip says (to Peter), "You've been quiet so far."

Morfu says, "If it's an underground insurrection, these are not the sort of people to be real talkative."

Philip says, "This is rather moot if I can't talk to them."

Morfu says, "Nor necessarily be really pleased when you walk in with a sack of their former comrades' remains."

[interludes2] GM says, "Excellent. Your strategy quickly sets you in a nest of narrow alleys, with dirty storefronts. A bar -- 'Finagle's' -- looks particularly seamy."

Morfu says, "We could tell them that they were killed by a vessel on orders from the Ardan Fathers, but I'm not entirely sure I want to start a civil war that badly."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "Perfect."

Robot_Peter says, "I think it would be safe to respectfully deliver the remains to those who would honor the dead."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "Strides into the bar, orders a whiskey, and looks around."

Philip says, "I have no plans of saying, 'Hi, here's a sack of remains.' And I wouldn't be mentioning the Adarn Fathers, either."

Morfu says, "If we put a container of Kalvesh armour on the open market, we'll find our Kalvesh friends soon enough."

[interludes] GM says, "She weclomes you cordially. 'Welcome! Are you interested in a suit as well, or do you already ahve accomodations of your own?'"

Robot_Peter says, "Without more mention of the circumstances than is necessary."

[interludes] Thessleton asks, "A suit, ma'am?"

Philip says, "Just a little chat, some information, and we can plan a neutral place to hand over the remains."

[interludes] GM says, "Excuse my accent -- a suite of rooms."

Morfu says (to Philip), "It's your neck. I would merely caution you. I'll release the remains to any whom I see as fit to receive them."

Philip asks, "I won't hand them over, just see about making arrangements. Can you watch the ship?"

[interludes] Thessleton says, "Oh, yes, of course. A suite would be lovely."

Morfu says, "I'm on duty here as the officer in charge, yes."

Philip says, "We'll have a comm. Gregory has one as well."

[interludes2] GM says, "No one but the bartender even glances your way. You get your whiskey in a dirty glass. (Well, synth-glass, actually -- who can afford real glass these days?)"

Philip says (to Peter), "Let's go. Gregory gave me a map to the Kalvesh enclave."

Morfu says, "Roger that."

Robot_Peter sets his comm link to the ship's transpondence code.

Robot_Peter says (to Philip), "Okay."

[interludes2] Gregory tosses back the whiskey. "Damn, that's good. Been in space too long - I need to get fucked up."

[interludes2] Gregory asks (of bartender), "You know where I can get anything - stronger?"

Philip says (to Morfu), "Back in a bit."

Morfu nods.

Philip leads Peter off the ship, following the map on the pad.

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Shit. What I should have done is put the corpses in a shuttle while in space, exposed them to vacuum, and sealed the shuttle. Now they'll get all stinky."

[interludes] GM says, "'Splendid.' She takes your information, and gives you a key. 'I'll register an account for you, and charge your hunting pass and room to that. You can take the elevator there to the room, and that corridor leads to the Heroes' Lounge.'"

Philip says (to Peter), "If we have to talk to them in Kalvesh, be sure to be discreet. Don't give them our names, or let them know we know about their possible civil war. We're just salvagers who found a wrecked ship."

Morfu seals the ship.

[interludes] Thessleton chuckles, "Quaint name."

Robot_Peter says (to Philip), "Of course."

Morfu sits in the captain's chair. Oooh, cushy.

Philip says, "And glad you're along. I'd hate to try this with the four words of Kalveshi I know."

Morfu thinks about that powered up Kalveshi computer core, but dismisses it on a whim.

[interludes2] GM says, "He pours you another. This one isn't whiskey; it's something pale pink. 'Vinka', he says."

[interludes] Thessleton says, "CHAUN-C and I go to the room, where I have him unpack my things, then we make our way down to the Hero's Lounge."

Morfu says, "Computer: Load Interstellar Solitaire."

[interludes2] Gregory squints at it. "Last time I saw something that colour, it was oozing out of the holes I made in a Kalvehs."

GM asks, "Are you taking a bus or a taxi to the surface?"

[interludes2] Gregory drinks it anyway.

[Crows-Nest] (from Robot_Peter) GM says, "Choose carefully."

Philip says, "Depends on how much money we have. :)"

[interludes2] GM says, "The bartender grins. 'Yeah. Kalvesh.'"

Morfu says, "Computer: cross-reference scanned data on Kalveshi interceptor against database of all registered Kalveshi spacecraft."

[interludes2] GM says, "The stuff tastes nasty, but it is stronger than whiskey."

GM says (to Philip), "Bus, then."

GM says, "The bus sets you down in the center of the city."

Philip looks around, being cautious.

[roguespace] Philip says, "As cautious as I can be having led me and Peter here."

GM says, "According to the map, there are fine establishments to visit to the north and east parts of town, with notable ethnic restaurants (including Kalvesh) in the eastern part."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu steals the ship, goes home, sells it, retires to a nice country practice. Woo hoo! Or maybe not.

GM says, "You can see the grand hotel from here."

[roguespace] Robot_Peter says, "you might be less conspicuous without that walking box on four legs next to you."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "Good stuff - cept for the colour. I was looking for something more on the - uh, illegal side, though."

Philip asks, "How close are the restaurants to the east to the more Kalvesh parts of town?"

[interludes] GM says, "It's a very nice suite -- four rooms, including two bedrooms, a sitting room, and a separate room for the jacuzzi and hot tub."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu asks, "Bah. Conspicuous PCs are the stuff of RPGs. Ya, me and the drow ranger and the minotaur barbarian walk into the bar. What?"

[interludes] Thessleton says, "Excellent, just right for a man of my station."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Ooh, they have public transport. They must be very advanced."

GM says (to Philip), "At a guess, you'd want to head southeast or south if you wanted to find non-white-washed UNACE-ified Kalveshi spots."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, ".GM I rifle through their personal cabins while I'm all alone here."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "In the ghetto..."

[interludes2] GM says, "'Oh, ah. Hmm.' He looks thoughtful."

Philip says, "Southeast, then, and watching where we go so we can run back to safety if we have to."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "(aside) I really need to learn how to do that realistically. I should talk to maga."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Ya, you can run to a bus stop. Good plan, TJ Hooker."

[interludes2] GM says, "Finally, he shakes his head. 'You want Dinarrik.'"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu holds a trunk sale out of the Wolf. "Hey hey hey, get yer fine Kalveshi body armour right here, no bullet holes, primo stuff, minister."

[interludes2] Gregory asks, "That a place or a person?"

GM says, "OK. The streets gradually go from being all clean and sparkly to being slightly dingy and littered. The signs, as well, tend to be less uniformly in English, and more in other languages."

Morfu brings up New Calpos incoming traffic control channel, just for something to listen to. Ooh, a freighter from Europa.

GM says, "People on the street notice you passing, and many seem tob e sizing you up as you go by."

Philip waves jauntily as they walk.

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "Just don't sell mine instead."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Psst. Penis sheaths are not in fashion here."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "Here, they let it hang."

[interludes] GM says, "After you've unpacked, you have no trouble finding the Heroes' Lounge. It's a big bar, with a full-length window looking out into the forests behind, where the hunting park begins. Other gentlement and ladies of similar social stature are relaxing here and quietly conversing."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Peter is a Slave Technician, but only in the kinky bondage sense."

Philip murmurs, "This should be interesting."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "I hope Thesstleton is enjoying himself, wherever the hell he is."

[interludes] Thessleton says, "I roll in with CHAUN-C trailing behind me, grab a drink, and look around for someone I know <luck point>."

[interludes2] GM says, "'Heh. Almost a person. Dovi. Funny scar. No hair. Comes in here sometimes.'"

Robot_Peter asks quietly, "What sort of person or business are we looking for?"

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "Hah. I'll stick around a bit then. Gimme a another."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "ilac"

[interludes2] Gregory says, "Hah. I'll stick around a bit then. Gimme a another."

GM says, "Stores, restaurants, bars... some with signs in Kalvesh, some in Dovi, even a few in Torman..."

[interludes2] Gregory feeds buys a package of oni nuts and starts feeding them to Gleek.

Philip says (to Peter), "I'm hoping we can figure out which ones are Edan, and talk to some of them."

[Crows-Nest] Morfu asks, "Ai, guvner, nice curried glerk onna stick for ya?"

Philip says, "Hey, might as well combine business and pleasure."

Philip looks for a bar that doesn't look *too* dangerous.

[interludes2] Gregory says, "(aside: what are the chances they end up in the same one I'm in?)"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "Psst -- go into that one called ARDAN FATHERS SUXOR"

[interludes] GM says, "OK. You spot an old school rival, Harry Mitchels. He's bragging to a young lady about something he just killed."

GM says (to Philip), "That's not too hard to find. You locate a place that seems to have a mixed clientelle, but no broken windows."

[interludes] Thessleton says, "(heh) Ok, I roll over to him and greet him, "Mitchels, you old scoundrel. How've you been?""

[interludes] GM says, "'Ah, what? Oh, it's you.' He doesn't seem especially pleased to see you. 'I thought you were still retaking Calculus. They finally graduated you, eh?'"

[interludes2] GM says, "(Unlikely, since you went straight for the scum, and they're trying to stay somewhat safe.)"

Philip says (to Peter), "Let's try here. Let me know if you hear anything that might be useful."

Philip pushes open the door and walks in, blinking in the dimness inside.

Robot_Peter says, "Right."

[interludes2] GM says, "(I'm going to wrap up your thread here, and then finish up the others.)"

[interludes2] Gregory says, "I pick a kid at the bar and start telling him war stories. Unless something else happens to interrupt me."

[interludes] Thessleton says, ""Ha ha! Good old Mitchels, still the kidder. So, how's the wife and kids?" (evil grin to GM)"

Morfu fiddles with obscure medical things.

[interludes] GM says, "'The wi-- what?' The young lady looks from you to Mitchels, and hmphs. 'What *are* you going on about, Hargraves? I'm not married, never have bee-- wait!' But by the time he finishes talking, she's already up and on her way out of the bar."

[interludes2] GM says, "OK. That's good."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "Oh, you meant, 'this is it.' I thought you meant you were about to do the final encounter in my thread now."

[interludes2] Gregory says, "In that case, yeah. I try to make friends with the bar, or at least entertain them a bit, while waiting for this Dovi to show up."

Philip walks up to the bar, looking at the other customers.

[interludes] Thessleton asks, "Serves you right, old bean. Calculus indeed. I'm sure you'll have three or four more just like her at your bedroom door tonight anyhow, begging to get in. But let's talk about something important...how's the hunting here?"

GM says (to Philip), "It seems like a reasonably nice joint. The bartender is wiping glasses with a clean cloth, and the other patrons aren't completely drunk yet."

GM says, "(And I'm going to wrap up your thread here, before you talk to the bartender.)"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu pokes the local Wookie. "YOU DON'T KNOW ME."

Robot_Peter follows and plants itself near Philip to watch and listen.

Morfu has nothing especially exciting to do before the wrap.

Philip says, "That's fine, since it's getting late."

[Crows-Nest] Gregory says, "Can't wait to see what bar Thessleton's sitting in next session... :-)"

[interludes] GM says, "(And I'm going to wrap up this thrad here, before you start talking in earnest...)"

[interludes] Thessleton says, "Okay"

[Crows-Nest] Morfu says, "He's probably been gored to death by a Venusian boar."

GM says, "We'll pick up here in three weeks."

GM asks, "Six o'clock still good for everyone?"

Whizzard has arrived.

Morfu says, "Roger that. Fun game. A lot of infrastructure-ish kinda things happening, but still fun."

Whizzard says (to Thessleton), "Right you, back in the bag."

Gregory says, "Having Robot show up really threw me there."

Thessleton says (to whizzard), "Noooo, not the bag! There's no liquor in there...."

Robot_Peter says, "yay"

GM asks, "Now that we've had two sessions, and had more people play this time... any comments on things that worked well/poorly?"

Whizzard stuffs Thessleton in the bag.

[roguespace] Morfu says, "I still think we coulda bluffed off the interceptor indefinitely with a threat to file a report on the manifest, but hey, that's in the past."

Thessleton goes home.

GM asks (of Gregory), "Good way, bad way, or kust interestingly?"

Morfu says, "Again, I'm not entirely happy with the d6+skill modifier."

Philip says, "Having not done any actual rolling, I can't speak to the game mechanisms."

GM says, "What does everyone else think about it? We didn't ahve a lot of opportunity to roll."

Philip says, "I do like the setting, since I'm a sucker for Vague Space Opera."

Morfu says, "It could have been a bit more obvious that is was some robot that no one recognizes, yes."

Whizzard says, "So far I think the luck is still the way to go."

Philip says, "I went along b/c I figured everyone else knew Robot."

Philip says, "since I missed the previous session."

Gregory says (to GM), "I think it was cause we had people missing that we slurred over last time: I assumed he was just one of them cause he was a PC."

Gregory says (to Philip), "I assumed he spent last session sitting on the ship with the rest of the guys who weren't there. :-)"

Whizzard says, "Heh, I noticed him but figured Thessleton wouldn't care in the midst of things."

GM says, "Ah. Yeah, last time I think I mentioned that I'd have schep's character join the game IC next time, but that was three weeks ago, so I shouldn't ahve expected everyone to remember."

Morfu says, "Ya, I think everyone expected Robot to be just some robot that was known from before, or a big DM plot hammer to just roll with."

Robot_Peter says, "I thought my question should have been interesting. But no big problem."

Morfu says, "What I found mildly amusing was that I think the other players treated him much differently than, say, some guy we just found on the ship."

Gregory says, "Well, I certainly did. :-)"

Robot_Peter says, "yeah, the interaction will definitely be interesting."

Morfu says, "The question about the date? It wasn't exactly a priority at the time, with hostile fire trained on us."

Gregory says, "I was just confused."

Whizzard says, "Well yeah, a stranger on the ship would've worried me, but it was just a robot, after all, and didn't seem covered in killguns."

Morfu says, "And, to be fair, in a stress situation, I bet any old joe could wander onto a bridge of a ship and not be questioned. Well, in a ship with hundreds of personnel. With only half a dozen, it might be trickier."

Philip says, "Yeah, a robot felt different to me than an actual person."

Whizzard says, "Plus, it almost immediately made itself useful."

Morfu says, "That's the funny thing, though; I think conceptually we see it as differently, when really it is probably as dangerous and probably a hell of a lot more dangerous than a stranger person."

Philip says (to Morfu), "Sure."

Philip stretches and becomes Erich.

Morfu says, "And I think it is fair to make a biological medical person more suspicious of robots, although Greg fell into that roll in a sense."

Erich says, "This way I should remember who I am next time I try to log in."

Gregory says (to GM), "Oh, one thing I was annoyed by was that I was sitting watching the scanners, and you never told me what was happening with the shuttle."

Gregory says, "I was waiting for somebody to say, 'The shuttle's now approaching your ship,' or something."

Erich says, "I am a little unclear on how much I can assume and how much I should ask you about."

Morfu says, "Ya, I felt a bit annoyed sitting IN the shuttle and feeling like I didn't know what was going on."

Gregory says, "I note that we never actually got a 'the shuttle docks'. Just 'Ok, I run up to the bridge.' (Oh, I guess it's docked then. I better put the shields back up.)"

GM says (to Gregory), "Mmm. I had been expecting Morfu to be RPing what the shuttle was doing, so I didn't realize that he wasn't at first."

Morfu says, "I mean, I tend to think that communications like 'Mothership, we're coming in now' give some sense of my intentions that ya, the shuttle is getting into the ship, damnit."

GM says, "But I should probably have communicated that to morfu."

Morfu says, "Fair enough."

Morfu says, "I guess theoretically I could have buzzed the bogey, IF I WERE INSANE."

Gregory says, "Oh, I didn't see you say that."

Whizzard asks (of morfu), "What, aren't you?"

Erich says, "Hey, look, Robot_Peter is leading a tour of Eisen."

Gregory says, "(Or else I thought you meant you were leaving the hulk now.)"

Robot_Peter says, "whoops"

Morfu says, "Well, heh. In character, I was trying to be a bit dogey about the away team's intentions."

Morfu says, "Actually, I was kinda hoping we could hide the away team from the interceptor, although that proved not likely pretty early."

Whizzard says, "I think we did fine there. It'll be more fun in the long run to have them come after us later."

Erich says, "Soon we will have a trail of people looking to kill us all."

Morfu says, "In a metagaming sense, if Wisdom tells you if you're being fooled, but you require telling if you're being fooled from IC, I see that as a potential conflict. Though, ya, a robot fooling you is legitmately hard or impossible to detect."

Whizzard says, "Also, I got a chuckle out of seeing the 'fighter' wind up in a tavern talking to the barkeep. :)"

Erich says, "Shame inky wasn't around. I would've dragged him with me as well."

Gregory says, "Hee hee."

Erich says, "so all our fighters could be drinking"

Gregory says, "Oh, wait, you meant him."

Whizzard says, "Also, I hope no one's too annoyed with Thessleton. I can tone him down if necessary."

Morfu says, "Nah, Thesstle is great, even perhaps a bit too restrained."

Erich says (to Gregory), "Eh? I thought he meant you."

Erich says, "As long as Thessleton doesn't become so overbearing I can't do stuff I'm fine."

Gregory says (to Erich), "I thought so too, until you mentioned 'dragged inky with me'."

Whizzard says, "Hence his wandering off to go hunt, back to the room, etc."

Erich says (to Gregory), "I was saying that one fighter was drinking; if inky'd been around I would have dragged him with me to the bar so he could be drinking as well."

Gregory says, "Aha."

Erich says (to Gregory), "(the one fighter being you)"

Whizzard says, "Leaders are best used in moderation in an RPG, I think."

Morfu says, "I'm just kinda waiting for that IC moment when a PC tells Thessleton that he doesn't know what the hell he's doing, so stand down; I have the bridge."

Erich says, "I'm a charmer, not a fighter."

Whizzard says (to morfu), "Heh, that'll be fun if it comes to that."

Erich says (to Whizzard), "We'll sic the monkey on Thessleton."

Robot_Peter says (to Morfu), "Okay, I'll do that, then you and Gregory can protest at both of us."

Morfu says (to Whizz), "I find that interesting, since, despite all my best efforts, I often find myself in a leadership-like role in RPGs."

Whizzard says, "Well, for instance, say Thessleton hung around all session and gave orders..."

Morfu says, "Ehh. I think PCs are well-able to have a lot of discretion and the players a lot of fun while receiving orders."

Whizzard says, "No one else would get to make decisions, except in defiance of him, likely initiative would dry up, and folks would lose some of what RPGs are about, a certain feeling of liberation."

Gregory says (to Whizzard), "My character could use some orders - it doesn't really make sense for him to be taking much initiative, actually."

Morfu says, "Well, it depends on the 'orders'."

Morfu says, "Tactical, train blaster #2 on the port quadrant of interceptor #3 is, yes, not open to a lot of interpretation."

Morfu says, "But that doesn't sound like an order Thessle would give, does it."

Gregory says, "Anyway, I gotta go get food. Good game."

Erich says, "I will take orders, but I will also cheerfully wander off and blithely get myself in trouble."

Gregory waves.

Gregory has disconnected.

Gregory goes home.

Erich says (to Gregory), "enjoy"

Morfu says, "Get us the fuck out of here. sounds more like it, and that has all sorts of shades of interpretation to it."

Whizzard says, "Heh, true, but it doesn't fit my play style, either."

Erich says (to Whizzard), "I think you handled things well, actually."

Morfu says, "I certainly have no complaints about how the PCs handled themselves, nor the players."

Erich says (to Whizzard), "and I think the crew is such that (other than Gregory) they're likely to take a bit of initiative on their own"

GM says, "I remember one of the first things he did was to give an order."

Morfu says, "What are you going to do, fire me? Oh, good."

GM says, "Something along the lines of 'CHAUN-C, get me a sherry'."

Erich says (to GM), "He can order you around all he wants. We don't mind."

Whizzard says, "Well, what we should do is try and pair Gregory up with another PC."

Whizzard says, "Someone with more initiative, I mean."

Morfu says, "Ehh, I was tempted, but I felt really uneasy about just leaving the ship sitting there."

Whizzard says, "That way they can drag him kicking and screaming into trouvble."

Morfu says, "We can cram Kinkajou along with him, I suppose."

Whizzard says, "Don't worry about 'watching the horses', I think."

Erich says, "Kinkajou's a troublemaker."

Morfu says, "Good."

Whizzard says, "We'll lock the doors, that ought to be good enough, and if not, hey, another adventure."

Whizzard says, "No sense in anyone missing out."

Morfu asks, "Ehh, I guess from a metagame standpoint I just look at this, and from a real-life legitimate standpoint to: Okay, your entire livelyhood is based in the ship. Do you really want to leave it empty?"

Morfu says, "Funny, that; I don't feel like I'm missing out. I have the whole damn ship to myself."

GM says, "Maybe I should add 'car alarm' to the list of add-on modules you can have fitted."

Whizzard says, "Heh."

Erich says, "THIS SHIP PROTECTED BY SPACE VIPER"

Morfu says, "It's not like there's nothing to do: There's an unresolved bogey, there's corpses, there's a shitload of cargo, I mean, hey."

Robot_Peter says, "We could just tell Davey to stay on board and contact us if anything happens."

Morfu says, "Just let me go on the record as saying I don't feel 'left out' by remaining on the ship."

Erich says, "I think it's sleepy time for me."

Erich says, "Good game, all."

Erich has disconnected.

Erich goes home.

Morfu says, "Ya, we could let plebe Davey take it, and who knows, I may feel some compelling reason next game to run off."

Morfu says, "But in a 'realistic' sense, keeping one crew onboard makes too much sense."

Whizzard says, "Sure, but let's have fun firstly, and worry about realism second."

Morfu says, "If you consider a bot as crew, well, sure, okay bot, kill anyone who comes in who you don't recognize as crew."

GM says, "Actually, if we count Kinkajou, you have three people there."

Whizzard says, "We'll leave the monkey on watch, unless he's gone drinking with Gregory. :)"

Morfu asks, "Hey, Davey, let me give you a medical exam... no, let's not go there. Say, have we ceased the log yet?"

[roguespace] GM asks, "Oh, did I remember to say that everyone gets another XP?"

[roguespace] Morfu asks, "Yay. So, if we were around from the start, that's 3, right?"

[roguespace] GM says, "Right."

Whizzard says, "Cool"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Woo. I can buy up BLASTERS."

[roguespace] GM says, "Also, anyone who's spending any, MUD or email me what you're using them for (even if you already told me -- it's easier to track if they're mailed)"

[roguespace] Morfu says, "Not the GM's fault, but I was a bit disappointed we didn't chat with the interlopers a bit more."

[roguespace] Morfu says, "In the sense that I think we had an unbeatable ace card."