Session Two: Answering the Call
General Summary
Upon returning from the planet Kamena, captain Harriman is handed orders from Numitor by his XO, Cmdr. Hadar Akator. Captain Harriman gives Mr. Cobb orders to set a course for Gurgan Station at best possible speed. The Argus entered Fold-space, and the crew experienced odd, brief visions, which quickly faded. An experience that is not uncommon on larger Foldships like the Argus. A short while later, the senior staff, and Lady Okerstrom, join the captain for dinner. Doctor Benjamin Willard was able to free himself from his duties in sick bay to join the festivities. He shares interest in exo-biology with captain Harriman. He is also extremely involved with the crew's well being, often checking in with various personnel even when they haven't needed his professional attention. One topic of conversation is Tev Moyer, the exo-archaeologist who suggested Nero and his crew to Lady Erin. Unfortunately, besides the name, she didn't have more to add to the topic, and Dr. Gulla was also unfamiliar with the man. Six days after leaving the Ishara System, about a day after the Argus left Coalition space and entered Grey Sector XZ11-E7-Psi, the Argus detected a sensor contact. Captain Harriman tuned the sensor sweep, and determined that the shift field signature matched a known starfighter of the Red Hound pirates. The Argus moved to intercept and engaged three pirate fighters. Commander Lazarus AO led a flight of four fighters to assist in the operation. The lead fighter was damaged and Folded back to real space. The other two were quickly disabled and hauled aboard the Argus. Dr. Willard extracted useful information from the computer core of one of the captured fighters. Captain Harriman, suspecting a trap awaited in real space, ordered the Argus back on course. The captured pirates, Spitt and Polle, were questioned by security chief Zed Steele, with the assistance of engineering chief Sly Mirage. Spitt was very informative, for a pirate. He told commander Steele about Captain Borgen and his ship, the Necromancer, all while insulting Cmdr. Steele's beliefs. Polle was not forthcoming with information. Captain Harriman ordered the execution of Spitt and Polle for piracy and slavery. Cmdr. Steele carried out the order. Five days after the pirate incident, Dr. Ming Gulla is examining the precursor data crystal relic in the main science lab, with Lt Feng Idimon and Synthetic Crewman Number 5 in attendance. Something goes horribly wrong. During Dr. Gulla's examination of the recovered item something triggers in the glowing object and a connection is made between the device and Number 5. Green tendrils of light flow from the strange device, up the arm of the synthetic. The ancient code invades and overwhelms the robot, leaving the device lifeless. The android, now with a strange green glow behind its eyes, slams the attending lab tech, Lt. Feng Idimon, against the bulkhead, brutally knocking him unconscious. The possessed synthetic exits the lab. Dr. Gulla sounds the alarm, and informs the ship of the emergency. Captain Harriman goes to check on Lady Erin. Mr. Cobb remains at the helm. Dr. Willard grabs his gear and heads to check on the injured Lieutenant on the lab. Cmdr. AO runs to catch Number 5 with a eager gleam in his eye. Cmdr. Steele grabs two of his marines and heads to stop the Synthetic. Chief Mirage stays where he is, where it's safe. Dr Gulla follows after Number 5, warning those he sees to stay back and not to harm Number 5. Lazarus AO catches up to Number 5 in the corridor headed towards the engineering section. Zed Steele and his marines are close behind, as is Dr. Ming Gulla. Lazarus quickly realizes that the possessed Number 5 is much more powerful that it was before. But with the help of Zed and his marines, and the hindrance of Dr. Gulla, Lazarus is able to reduce Number 5 into scrap. The head of #5 still glows with an unnatural green light. Dr. Gulla carefully protects the head from further damage. Dr. Willard looks after the injured crewmen in the sick bay. Lt. Idimon is in a coma, but should recover. Those injured in the subdual of #5 will recover with rest after the doctors ministrations. The Captain holds an impromptu conference in the lab to determine what happened, and what should be done.
- It is determined that the circuitry of #5 is changing under the influence of the green glow.
- It might have been trying to access the Marigold Device.
- It might be a lifeform.
- It needs to be contained in a faraday cage and guarded
- A cyberneticist would be useful in determining what is going on inside of #5's head
- Captain Harriman remembers that the renowned cyberneticist, Azucena Calvados, retired to the captain's home planet of Sarloam
Rewards Granted
2xp Fold-capable pirate starfighter with Red Hound markings
Missions/Quests Completed
Precursor artifact possesses Synthetic Crewman Number 5. Number 5 is destroyed. Green glow from alien relic resided in head of #5.
Character(s) interacted with
Senior Staff has dinner with Erin Okerstrom. Red Hound slavers Spitt and Polle are interrogated and executed.
