Session One: Mr Gregori's Package
General Summary
You find yourselves on Caldera station, above the planet Mephistopheles, in the Dante system. Dante is a class O star (blue) with 9 planets in its system. The closest planet to the star is Paradise, the population center of the local citizens, a very xenophobic lot that seldom interact with out-systemers. Mephistopheles is the fifth planet in the Dante system. It is a planet of extreme volcanic activity. In orbit above Mephistopheles is the Caldera space station, a free port where your safety is only guaranteed by your own effort. Either through force or finance. Jack, you've just powered down the Morningstar's engines after a routine docking at Caldera station. You head down to the cargo door and join Sand, Gabriel, and Ramiel to meet your new Company Liaison. Jack remarks, "Well, we gave our new ship a proper run through." Gabriel responds, "Yes, I've been evaluating the systems effects coming through the volcanic heat, and the deflectors seem to be working at specification" Jack agrees, "Yes, yes they did." Sand interjects, "We're out of coffee!" Gabriel continues without acknowledging Sand's interruption, "I may have to tweak them." Korvas, You glance through your assignment file as you approach the docking bay where the Morningstar is berthed. Your mission directive, from Seraph Industries, is to turn the crew of the Morningstar into a properly functional solutions team. You have one year to accomplish this objective. The course of their rehabilitation has been left to your devices, but the company will not provide any official operational assignments to the team until you say they're ready. So, you're on your own till then. And as you look at the finance statement, you see they just used the last of the ships credit line for the docking fee at the station. The airlock cycles, you enter the docking bay and walk towards the Morningstar. Korvas walks up to the crew gathered at the front cargo hatch of The Morningstar and speaks, "Captain Jack?" Jack responds, "I'm, I'm not the captain, I'm just the pilot." Korvas glances at his data files, and notes that the previous captain died when Jack crashed the previous ship. "Mr. Metatron," Gabriel speaks with a monotone delivery, "It is a pleasure to meet you." "Ah, you must be Gabriel." Korvas said noting the unnaturalness of this artificial man. "I am." Gabriel droned. "Gabriel, I have been following your work for many moons. It's very nice to meet you. I'm so glad you're part of this awesome ship." Korvas said "I am flattered that you found my work to be up to your standards." Gabriel said, and then with the speed of a quantum field data core, abruptly changed topics. "Did they tell you what happened to out last liaison?" "Umm, I'm not entirely sure of what happened, but lets not dwell on the past my good man." Korvas answered, taking that moment to skillfully shift the conversation to more pressing needs. "Let's actually look at the future, because we have just spent the last of our credits on docking this ship today. So what we need to be discussing is when and where is our next job and how much does it pay." "That does seems like a prudent course of action." Gabriel intoned. Korvus and "Captain" Jack quickly conferred on what the docking fees entailed. Jack assured him with knowledge that this was a long-term berth, and that fuel and food were included in the docking fees. So the Morningstar would be restocked to it's typical 3 month supply of foodstuffs. "Well, gentlemen, by my records, it appears that we are currently broke." Korvas concludes. Ramiel's hand drifts into his pocket, brushing his nearly empty credit stick. "Call me when the ship is ready to go." and starts to leave. "Ah, that would be awesome to do, however, and your name might be, ahh" Korvas said while trying to stay in front of Ramiel. Ramiel stopped and looked at Korvus before speaking, "My name might be something else than it normally is. But my name is Ramiel." "Raamiel" Korvas repeated" "no, Ramiel" Ramiel growled. "Ramiel. That is a unique name, Ramiel. Where does that come from?" "The person who named me." Ramiel said, nearly as monotone as Gabriel. "Very good. I admire this person who named you." Korvus said. Wisely deciding to pivot the conversation again, he said, "I think we should all go have a drink and discuss where we're going to make our next bit of profits. Unless you guys like starving." "I could eat." Jack pipes up. "I could eat." "Drinks are on you?" Sand asks hopefully. "Drinks ... Um ... How about drink is on me, and then we'll be on our own from that point. How does that sound? Good, Lets go! Right this way guys. Jack taps his security activation tab, and the ship responds with a clear "Chirp, chirp." Gabriel stands still as the others move off. "Come on Big-Boy." Ramiel says as he notices Gabriel standing statue-like just in front of the ship. "You need to go with us, at least to be there and make your ..." "No. I see no reason. I do not eat. I do not drink. I do not socialize." "This in not socialize, this a contract. Come on. You need to be a part of this. If it degrades to socializing and drinking and eating, go back to the ship. But right now we need your input. Let's go."Ramiel declares. "I could just beat the rush and stay here." Gabriel stated. "Order a drink. I'll drink it for you." Sand suggests encouragingly. "Very well." Gabriel says, adding an exasperated "Organics." as they leave the docking bay. The crew enters Caldera Station and heads to a bar. After sitting down in a bar, Korvas snaps his fingers for a waiter's attention, and orders a round of drinks. Sand speaks with a forced bravado, "Yo, mouth-piece. What did you say your name was?" "Well, my name is Korvas." Korvas says. "Korvas Metatron" Gabriel spoke quietly to make sure all facts were presented. "But you can call me Kay" Korvas continued. "You can call me Korvas, you can call me whatever you like." "Korvas, How are we making money?" Sand asked "Well, Sand. I have been following your career since you joined The Morningstar. Very impressive record. We are all fortunate to hav you as part of this crew." Korvas said. "He was a second choice." Gabriel volunteered. Sand gave him a harsh look, and wondered, not for the first time, if Gabriel had a reboot button. "So, what kind of jobs do we need to take to get back in the better graces of the corporation?" Jack asked. "Well, right now I'd say we're in terrible graces, but we're going to fix that." Korvas said. "let me check my leads." He took out his hand-held and focused on the data there. Sand took the opportunity to pour Korvas' drink into his empty glass. Korvas noted and ignored the act. While the crew discuss their prospects, they are approached by a heavy set, loud, boisterous, bearded man of about 5'6". He is carrying two vodka bottles and two shot glasses. "My friends!" He says boisterously. "Good to see you. For we are friends who have not met yet!" He places one of the bottles in front of Ramiel. "You and your young friend there." he says indicating Sand. "Drink, relax, and look menacing. Very good! I have business with your Captain?" he says looking questionably between Jack and Korvas. "That would be me, Captain Jack Dumah." Jack said smilingly at his self promotion. (18:30) After some negotiations they have a deal, and a destination. Koltar IV. Their job is to pick up a personal cargo case from a secure location and bring it back to their new friend, Kyi Gregori. On their way back to the ship they see two thugs pursuing a woman clearly in distress. Ramiel starts to follow after them. But Korvas calls out and fast talks the thugs into tring to steal from him instead. The party drives off the two thugs (named Rex and Martin). And defeats the three gangers who joined in. Ramiel killing one of the three. They rescue the woman, Angelique DeMonde. She joins the crew as a guest, or possibly a cook. She makes cookies for Sand. Jack plots a very swift flight-path. reducing the travel time down to 8 days from 18. On their way, they receive a distress call from The Sorgum. They change course to investigate, adding about two days to their trip.
Created Content
The previous mission caused 5756 injuries, 200 fatalities
