03 Diplomacy Rising

Plot Hook

Objective: 5 Restore something broken

Adversaries: 4 Local inhabitants

Rewards: 1 Money or valuables

With the Galleon reassigned elsewhere Halcyon Verge is no longer getting direct investment and support. The Blue Margin isn't big enough to deliver the critical infrastructure required and the outpost is so new and small after being rebuilt that the USCMC has all but abandoned it. Vela wants to use her cut of the rewards to set up a wildlife exclusion zone. If successful this will ensure more shipping traffic to the system and provide a passive income. An income she is willing to share with Tatu, but can't offer any payment up front.

Random Event

What happens: 7D Create (technical)

Involving: 8S Knowledge (mystical)

Tatu fabricates a specialized insectoid exclusion zone emitter and pylons. The prefabricated exclusion type and some ingenuity on Vela's part allow her prototype emitters to really outclass anything else possible with the USC level of technology. Usually within the USC such devices are old galaxy artifacts. Creating and successfully deploying the prototype could be extremely lucrative in its own way.

Tatu wants in. They see the potential of the project and aren't above working under Vela for now since it means they can both move up together. She can surpass her rival later.

Topic Focus

Tatu and Vela land in the verge quarry and meet back up with Izel and Jiro. What have they been focused on in the interim time?

3H Allies (social)

Izel has repaired the pixel printer and cloning pod of the outpost and doing so has allowed them to start recruiting crew over the months. The quarry isn't fully operational at the moment since the silo is overflowing. They need buyers and caravans more than they need hands right now, so most of the outpost is idle and the Ashbound's life support system pretty much takes care of all their basic needs.

Leverage 5 - It's a hard sell but Vela and Tatu explain the plan and get Jiro to delegate a ground expedition to one corner of the square exclusion site. it's not far but it's outside of the walls. Vela and Tatu will need to secure the other three sites.

Hex Terrain

Terrain: 2 Same as current hex

Contents: 1 Nothing notable

In the middle of the jungle Vela marches out and is unsurprised to find more jungle. What a surprise.

Hex Event

1 None

Competence 5 - Jiro's team successfully secures their site by day 2 check in back at the quarry. They encountered some 'minor resistance'. Jiro is covered in brown bug blood, it clearly wasn't minor but they seem to have enjoyed themselves.

Hex Terrain

Terrain: 4 Common terrain

Contents: 4 Nothing notable

The East site on Day three is more jungle. always more jungle.

Hex Event

2 None

Hex Terrain

Terrain: 1 Same as current hex

Contents: 3 Nothing notable

Hex Event

5 Random Event then Set the Scene

Random Event:

What happens: 5S Move (mystical)

Involving: 5H History (social)

On the seventh day Vela drives in the final emitter and the field hums into existence with a fierce pop followed by a Floran scream before returning to a low barely perceptible hum. Vela chuckles and looks back at Tatu, about to tease her for being startled by the field but Tatu doesn't look startled. They are crouching and scanning the treeline. The scream wasn't them, and there were no other Florans in the quarry crew...

Tatu holds their breath in a useless attempt to hide from something she cannot see. A small tribal Floran war band with a few sticks in their home jungle is one of the most terrifying military forces any galaxy has ever known. The outpost is doomed to close down for safety reasons if they can't establish peaceful contact... if they make it back alive at all. Tatu breathes out, they are still alive. Having no lead immediately available after searching the area the two head back. Tatu tries quiz Vela of much return on investment they can make quickly before the potential local tribe sacks the outpost if they just don't tell anyone. Vela however is loyal to her crew. She isn't even entertaining the idea. it's going to be deal with it or evac. No other options.