FATE 3e “Spelljammer” — Getting under way

Fellow role-players, here are Josh C.’s and my notes for his Spelljammer: “the Show Must Go On” space fantasy miniseries, using Cubicle 7’s Fantastic Adventures in Tabletop Entertainment (FATE) 3rd Ed.: Starblazer Adventures—Legends of Anglerre, Skype, and an online dice roller.

>Floating in the Hysgeu sphere is a station shaped like a top hat. The “Grand Show” is a port of call for the curious, pleasure-seekers, and experienced spacefarers alike. It’s also the home to a fleet of merchant vessels and itinerant shows. Coming aboard the huge ship the Drowned Swan, we find our heroes:

-“Oner Walek” [Gene D.]-male Wolfen sky pirate, romantic swashbuckler, prestidigitator and deck hand hailing from the “Vanished Lands” now aboard the Drowned Swan

-“Scylla” [Sara F.]-young female Amethyst Dragon fortuneteller, raised by Gypsies and devoted to protecting the weak

-“Samael Muckblood” [Geoffrey C.]-male Hill Dwarf hunter, sniper, and “bad cop” serving in ship’s security; has a steam-powered crossbow

-“Zanzibar” [Robin]-female Lizard Wizard, pyromaniac mistress of time and space (Spelljammer)

-“The Amazing Lorenzo Le May” [Byron V.O.]-male human Thief-Acrobat, juggler, and sometime cat burglar in “Le battant éléphant” circus troupe

>About a week ago, these notifications were posted around The Grand Show:

To all members of the Grand Show. The Drowned Swan will be space-worthy ahead of schedule. Because of this, the ship has been scheduled to attend the Festival of Festivals commemorating the 45th birthday of Prince Andru of the rock of Bral.

Performers of the Drowned Swan production should report to Winston Reisel III for housing and general information. Le battant éléphant will be accompanying them to the festival. In addition, Le battant éléphant has some openings for new members. Please speak to Winston Reisel III to arrange an audition.

Work crew “Dragon Fly” has also been assigned. Vangar and One-Eyed Willie are still assembling the crew; please speak Vangar for ship security and One-Eyed Willie for carnival security. Be advised, space is limited due to the large staff.

Upon reading this poster, several members of the crew were tapped. Sam Muckblood, a Dwarf from a backwater planet, was approached by Grugach (Wild Elf) Vangar for the security team. Vangar noted that “Guinevere,” Sam’s steam-powered, multishot crossbow, would be handy to help with the ship’s defense.

Oner Walek, a Wolfen about the deck, was approached by One-Eyed Willy, a lanky Halfling. Oner had a reputation for discretion and a good pair of ears, useful traits both shipside and dockside.

Scylla met with Winston Reisel III. The dragon fortuneteller expressed interest in joining the show. Her reputation preceded her, and a haggard Winston accepted her petition after they finished some paperwork and herbal tea.

Zanzibar, a lizard woman mistress of dimensions, was approached by head mage Nonius Vatinius, an Elf Summoner. Since Zanzibar was one of the few “Spelljammers” in the crew, Nonius recruited her to help propel the Drowned Swan, but only after reminding her of her lowly rank.

Lorenzo, a long-standing member of Le battant éléphant, was also included in the show roster. He amused himself by juggling on the top deck. After Sam signed up, he went to his bunk to check out the cramped setup and research ways to secure his weapon.

Meanwhile, Oner obtained some refreshments for the crew after consulting with quartermaster Numen Yucebs. Oner walked around and ingratiated himself by offering water and grog. The Wolfen eventually found Muckblood in a nearby bunk taking measurements and muttering to himself. After a brief conversation, they parted ways.

Oner continued to explore the ship, eventually finding a large, pastoral room filled with the “Garden of Delights.” He was greeted by an entity calling itself the “Ship Mother.” It shooed Oner away, saying that only her staff was permitted to attend her. He thanked her and walked off, finding that deeper levels of the ship were blocked off.

Dragon Scylla, who was unable to fit in the regular crew compartment, asked for a proper tent for shelter on the main deck. Zanzibar met Capt. Andraimon Ianthe, an imposing man, as well as Lidia Kamenevem, the Halfling first mate, and Mario, an insectoid (Neogi?) Spelljammer.

As the “Dragon Fly” work crews rushed about, trying to avoid collisions with the regular hands of the Drowned Swan, the performers of Le battant elephant tried to find space to rehearse. Scylla observed beasts in the “elephant wagons,” and Zanzibar laughed at a haughty blonde woman who was startled by nonhumans aboard the ship.

Vangar and One-Eyed Willy warned Oner and Sam to stay out of the way of the various groups, notify superiors of any problems, and to “gently eject” unauthorized boarders such as pirates. The guards’ resolve was soon tested when they met diva Vermella Rogili, star of the “Harrowing of Prince Caspian.” Fortunately, the acting ship’s owner discreetly escorted her away.

Sometime after that, Rafael Galves held a secret meeting of some of the carnival folk. During the meeting, he rallied against the poor treatment of the workers. Disgruntled Galves got the circus performers riled up, and in general nothing happened, but none walked away happy.

Oner and Lorenzo had attended the meeting on behalf of the security team but were unable to keep quiet. After dodging irate carnies in the Drowned Swan‘s labyrinthine corridors, they suggested to Vangar and One-Eyed Willie that some of the sealed-off portions of the ship be used to expand the crew quarters.

The officers promised to tell the captain, but they were clearly hiding something in addition to the onion-like deck plans they were studying. Oleg later quietly suggested to Lorenzo that they find some help and covertly explore the forbidden areas….

Note that the next FATE 3e “Spelljammer” game will be on Sunday, 8 April 2012. Byron might be late because of Easter celebrations, but we should have quorum. We’ll eventually return to my “Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy game.

The Boston-area face-to-face groups may also be taking a break from my FATE 3e “Vortex” space opera after April 23 to play a superhero game, as suggested by Jason E.R. In the meantime, happy gaming!

Weekend warriors, Spring 2012 edition

Banner for martial arts classes near Boston, Massachusetts — Martial arts for all ages

On Sunday, 25 March 2012, Janice and I attended an open house at Guard Up! in Burlington, Massachusetts. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we enjoyed the martial arts demonstrations.

The Nerf battles, role-playing, and stage combat were popular among youngsters, so I talked to an instructor about European historical combat training. I’ve been interested in swordplay for years and own several blades and wooden practice weapons, but I’m not especially familiar with the German longsword, short sword and buckler, or other fighting styles.

The kendo demonstration was impressive, but that Japanese form would probably require more energy and discipline than I would enjoy. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the fencing. I donned some protective gear and learned the most basic moves. I managed to work up a sweat, and I won in my sparring matches, albeit against an instructor who was going easy on me. The more formal classes have clear benchmarks on individual progress.

On the other hand, I’m not sure how interested I am in long-term competition. All the typical restraints or excuses apply — I’m starting in middle age, am out of shape, and am concerned about the time and expense. I also wonder how much contact there is in the historical weapons classes. I dabbled in the Society for Creative Anachronism back in college, but found myself a better archer than duelist.

I plan to attend another free session to try to decide. Both the historical weapons and fencing classes are on Wednesday nights.

“Vortex” Update 5a.29 — Off to the races

Fellow role-players, here are Josh’s and my notes for Session 5a.29 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 1 met on Monday, 19 March 2012, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Bulldogs, Diaspora, and Limitless Horizons.

In one future, humanity has begun to colonize the Sol system, but ecological degradation and internecine conflicts persist. Open and official First Contact with Galactic societies, themselves at war, threaten Terra’s very survival. Will heroes rise to the challenges?

Two aliens and their human allies encountered xenophobes and megacorporate intrigues on and around Earth. After visiting factionalized Mars and acquiring a starship, they continued their mission of diplomacy and exploration on their way to the interstellar crossroads of Oasis Station….

>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 1 (5a), crew of the Blackbird:

-“Syzygy” [Brian W.]-Trinoid (trilateral amphibious alien) xenologist with an organic laboratory and a pet cat named “Mr. Sniffles”

-“Tela” [Sara F.]-female Tharian (winged gargoyle-like alien) escapee with boyfriend Kedar from the Encegulans, engineer

-“Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran cyborg human sniper working for eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.

-“Aughest-vor…” [Jason E.R.]-male human from the Lemuria orbital city, onetime dilettante, solar-sail racer, pilot

-“Lt. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.]-male Terran cyborg human, burned-out officer and explorer in the Interplanetary Patrol

-“Scoop Chang” [Rich C.G.]-male Jovian “near-human,” interstellar reporter kidnapped by the Olvar; psi interested in First Contacts

-“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A./absent]-male Terran “near-human,” seeker of enlightenment and investigator met aboard the Ma’ari ship Cyan Horizon

-“Gombo Shisel” [Rich L./absent]-male Mongolian/Martian human, former horse rancher and wilderness survival expert

-“Dr. Bucket” [Non-Player Character]-United Earth Authority astromech robot assigned to the Blackbird

>>From the logs of Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus, 22 to 25 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era: About 40 light-years from Earth, the crew of the Blackbird encountered Encegulan slavers and a dangerous Zurmiz Krott probe while searching for a missing Kharvamid agent and access to a Precursor jump gate.

Back at the Regatta Hotel, our adventuring party conducted research into the Zurmiz Krott, a biomechanical monster with a bulbous body and three legs that inspired cannibalistic madness in people in Sector 6, the orbital habitat also known as “the Growing.”

Syzygy planned to meet again with fellow Trinoid scientist Selenium [Josh/N.P.C.], who, like Tela, wanted to study the xenoid’s (alien robot’s) remains. Tela and her Tharian boyfriend Kedar also hoped to get more advanced equipment while avoiding the slug-like Encegulans.

Aughest-vor… checked the local info nets to see if Oasis Station had experienced any previous attacks from the Zarkonian Armada. In addition, he studied his competition in an upcoming solar-sail race.

I can’t believe that Scoop Chang asked Aughest for firearms training. Of all the humans in our crew, Interplanetary Patrolman Lt. Kevin Reese, I as a Black Box agent, and probably even troubleshooter Tariq Asrad Saladin have more experience. I hope the journalist comes to his senses before he or the playboy gets hurt. Aughest, Scoop, and Tariq also checked the news, but we were fortunately not identified.

Kevin inquired about other humans at Oasis Station and wasn’t happy when he heard that Encegulans might have captured more. He contacted Nylca of clan Firehoof [Brian/N.P.C.] and asked to meet the Gustrall (orange-furred, antlered, flightless raptor) mercenary as soon as possible.

According to Oasis Station’s archives and the Olvar Star League database on the Blackbird, the Zarkonian Imperium had attacked various civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy’s Orion Arm thousands of years ago (in Terran time). About a century ago, the crustaceans reportedly resumed their incursions.

However, this time, the Zarkonians are moving more slowly, using more subtlety and making alliances. I’m convinced that something happened since the last time they expanded in this direction. Are they overextended? Have their goals changed? I’m still looking into it.

Syzygy searched for similar outbreaks of violence that might indicate Zurmiz Krott. Not surprisingly, diplomat Plorb [Beruk/N.P.C.] confirmed that some Aquarian (amphibious humanoid) colonies had experienced similar problems.

More disturbingly, Dr. Bucket noted that Ghanki Station — beneath the Indian Ocean back home — had been attacked by a “Harbinger of the Order of Submission” around the time we were at Lemuria Station in Earth orbit several (Terran) months ago. This pattern bears further investigation.

We verified that Hannah Nydari [Sara/N.P.C.], the Olvar (mammal-like arboreal alien) tourist whom Lt. Reese had rescued from the riot, was the Kharvamid Alliance spy we had been looking for. Only Scoop recognized her costume and plasma sword from an archaic Terran serial, and I have my doubts about the competence of her handlers.

We decided to again split up, with Aughest-vor, Syzygy, and Scoop (with camera robot EVE) publicly going to the solar-sail race. Tariq would keep watch on Kedar, Dr. Bucket, Mr. Sniffles, and Hannah on the Blackbird and coordinate our communications.

Kevin, Tela, and I planned to meet again with Nylca and other extraterrestrials to gain access to a contested Precursor jump gate….

><Translated from the Galactic Standard Linguacodes> Hello all, and welcome to the Swift Course Regatta! I’m Kgut, and this is Mtos. We’ll be your announcers for this race, and here are our racers:

-T’chlk Tcha [Rich/N.P.C.] is an Aquarian piloting the Heart of the Ocean, a vessel that resembles a blue fish, with solar sails shaped like fins.

-Next up, we have Prada Deville [Sara/N.P.C.], the wealthy Gustrall owner/racer of the Crusher, a bright pink model with tailfins.

-By the Maker, what is that? Well, Mtos, according to the record, that’s Blurb [Brian/N.P.C.]. The slimy, multi-eyed Encegulan is flying an Olvar craft called the Eron. For those just listening to this broadcast, it’s a gray, spiky vehicle with a red star on it. Hey, Kgut, wasn’t there an Olvar pilot? Think the thing inside ate him? Well, Mtos, if that’s the case, let’s hope he likes spectators more than announcers!

-Look, it’s Lok-t’sha [Josh/N.P.C.], and he’s driving a spherical, web-covered racer! Mtos, did you know that the [spider-like] Nolath built that ship himself? Yes, I did, Kgut — he actually has a dedicated following among the gearheads in the crowd.

–Aughest-vor is the most interesting racer. He’s a member of a species that has just made First Contact with galactic societies, a “hooman” I believe it’s pronounced. He’ll be flying the Island of the Moon, a craft from his home system. It looks a bit like some sort of winged beast; it’s mostly sails, primitive gears, and rigging.

-We saved the best for last, folks! Kerenar [Bruce/N.P.C.] is the Ru’ulok [heavy-gravity reptilian] driver of the “Punisher,” a sleek, black powerhouse with white stenciling. He’s a seven-time winner of the regatta.

><The audio cuts to people cheering for a moment.>

Mtos, I heard that Kerenar will be selling virtual reality goggles with recordings of his run, thanks to his megacorp and Trade Guild sponsors. That’s right, Kgut, with exclusive views from his cockpit — get them after the race. And they’re off!

Just outside our observation lounge here in Sector 11, Aughest-vor flips his craft over and waves at Kerenar. There goes Kerenar, rolling the “Punisher” over and showing Aughest his tail pipe.

Prada fires off her glitter guns, giving her a little boost. The crowd loves that; you can hear them cheering. The Heart of the Ocean waves its fins, and Lok-t’sha extends his scull’s arms to get more sunlight. Blurb gets the Eron off to a jerky start.

They’re spiraling around Sector 12, “the Merging,” to the first obstacle. Pieces of metal extend out from the command station’s rim, blocking out the sun, so the contestants will have to coast on inertia. How old-fashioned!

Aughest-vor does well, using a so-called hypersolar burst [installed by engineer Tela] to slide to the edge of the course, but he’s joined by Kerenar, who’s also taking the outside hoping to catch some scant rays where the shade is least. What’s this? T’chlk T’cha has apparently grappled the “Punisher,” hoping to go forward. It looks like Blurb has pulled ahead.

What’s the next obstacle, Mtos? Well, Kgut, it’s an area mined with spheres that spray corrosive organic compounds. Whoa! Sorry to whoever bet on Blurb — he just crashed full-force into one of the mines. That’s right, Mtos, next time, try betting on a horror from beyond space and time that can drive. It looks like everyone else got out OK, if a little worse for wear.

And now, a brief message from our sponsors, providers of VR entertainment gear….

Welcome back. The solar skiffs are “threading the needle” through the crystalline spires of the “Shining Sisters,” Sector 1 of Oasis Station. The Island of the Moon has taken the lead, but Prada Deville isn’t far behind in the Crusher.

Lok-t’sha and Blurb are neck and neck, if either species had necks. Kerenar is still trying to shake T’chlk T’cha’s Heart of the Ocean. Our camera drones are showing the solar sailors nearing Zone 3, “the Hunting Lodge.”

What’s up next, Mtox? I believe it’s the Kutalrin, or robot sharks, Kgut. What about the lasers? No, those have been banned since an incident during the previous race. It looks like the Aquarian craft is flying right into a swarm of Kutalrin, and the crowd goes wild. Our condolences to T’chlk T’cha’s next of kin.

We’re at the final challenge, folks — inertial dampening force fields around “the Skies Below,” or Sector 9. Here comes Lok-t’sha, and ooh, right into the field. By the makers, Blurb has crashed the Eron right into the Nolath’s racer! I hope that both of them have insurance. Well, I hope that the Encegulan isn’t hungry!

While the Crusher also appears to be stuck amid monofilament tangles, the Island of the Moon and the “Punisher” are approaching … and Kerenar is our winner! <End station transmission, resume Agent Prometheus’ journal.>

Loser Aughest-vor had hoped for Boobulon or Olvar cheerleaders, but he had to accept Tela and Hannah as escorts back to our luxury suite after exchanging words with Kerenar. Kevin may think that this Ru’ulok is a “swell guy,” but my trigger finger was itchy.

Lt. Reese and I went to meet Nylca at the “Privateer’s Perch,” a dive bar in the xenoid-run “Rusted Link,” or Sector 10. We again negotiated for access to the faster-than-light jump gate, whose location wasn’t publicly known and which was being guarded because of contesting claims.

The fierce Gustrall had acquired a security pass key and said that Serenar, a scientist and Kerenar’s kinsman, and Turvel Dosk [Rich/N.P.C.], a Cestolar (literal-minded, badger-like alien) smuggler, had helped her. Nylca said she could get us close to the Precursor artifact, which we hoped to use to warn Earth of the Zarkonians.

We have other associates who may prove useful, but they’re not necessarily trustworthy. Ibor vos Talshun [Rich/N.P.C.], another Cestolar pilot, offered to help us. Kzp’trn [Jason/N.P.C.], a Nethian (insectoid) mechanic who had been searching for an “isoquantum fracture compensator,” was also at the “Privateer’s Perch.”

We were just finishing our drinks when Dr. Bucket radioed us — there had been an explosion in T’chlk T’cha’s rooms back in the Regatta Hotel. We met the rest of our crew at “the Swift Course,” and Lt. Reese got us permission to examine the area.

Initial forensics indicated that the blast was no accident, and even though the Aquarian racer had been killed by the Kutalrin, someone was sending his sponsor, Plorb, a message. The emissary’s whereabouts are unknown, so we’re going to search for him while Syzygy goes to meet Selenium. After that, we’re off to the jump gate….

Thanks, Brian, for hosting, and thanks, Josh, for your notes! I hope that everyone enjoyed our first “Vortex” session since Janice’s and my — and Josh & Sara’s — moves. The next Team 1 game will be on Monday, 2 April 2012.

In the meantime, I look forward to Josh’s “Spelljammer” space fantasy miniseries using FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre, and James’ D20 Call of Cthulhu one-shot. Take it easy, -Gene

John Carter review — I want to go to Mars!

Unfairly maligned sword-and-planet flick — John Carter's a fun sword-and-planet flick

I recently screened Disney’s John Carter with Josh C. & Sara F. I saw the sword-and-planet movie again later with Janice, who was at a technical writing conference in Memphis this past week. She has also been busy with extra shifts as a volunteer at the Dedham animal shelter. All of us enjoyed the adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Barsoom” stories.

The movie is framed with scenes of a young Burroughs, played by Spy Kids‘ Daryl Sabara, being summoned to the estate of his late uncle, a world traveler and former Confederate cavalryman. Taylor Kitsch, from Friday Night Lights and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, is the eponymous Capt. Carter, who finds himself mysteriously transported from late 1860s Arizona to an inhabited Mars.

On the desert world, Carter encounters tribes of Tharks, four-armed green men, led by the honorable Tars Tharkas (voice and motion capture of Willem Defoe). Despite his initial reluctance to become involved in another civil war, Carter is soon entangled in the conflict between the city-states of Zodanga and Helium, both of which are populated by humanlike “red” Martians.

After meeting the beautiful scientist and princess Deja Thoris (played by X-Men Origins‘ Lynn Collins), Carter decides to fight Sab Than (Dominic West), the Jeddak (chieftan) of Zodanga, and Thern mystic Matai Shang (Mark Strong). He’s aided by Sola (Samantha Morton), the compassionate daughter of Tars Tharkas, and doglike calot Woola.

If this plot seems familiar, it’s because Burroughs created the template for the “planetary romance,” which led to a century of space operas from Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, and even Superman to Dune, Star Trek, and Star Wars to Stargate, Farscape, and Avatar. The lost but brave Earth man, the spunky princess and sidekicks, the honorable alien warriors, and the mystic duels have become clichés, but John Carter shows us the vitality of their source.

The actors seem to be enjoying themselves with the interplanetary swashbuckling. The script by Michael Chabon takes itself seriously, but not too seriously, with humor similar to that found in the original Star Wars or another pulp revival, The Mummy. I’m currently reading Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay for former co-worker Ken G.‘s “Escapists” book club.

Even in this age of computer-enhanced visuals, the Tharks’ facial expressions, the fleet-footed Woola and fierce white apes, the crawling city of Zodanga, and the steampunk airships were all impressively designed and rendered. The aliens interacted smoothly with the human actors. Despite the daunting amount of exposition required for such a movie, I thought that director Andrew Stanton, who also directed Pixar’s Wall-E, did a decent job of pacing.

The grand vistas include the rough-and-tumble frontier of the American west, the windswept deserts of Mars, the rain-soaked streets of New York, and soaring structures and ancient ruins of Barsoom. The soundtrack also evokes a lost age of adventure, although it’s not as memorable as the works of John Williams.

I’d give John Carter, which is rated PG-13 for violence, an 8.5 out of 10, four out of five stars, or an A-. Many critics have gleefully pointed out that Disney’s adaptation is somehow subject to the “curse of the Mars movies” and gotten less-than-stellar box office. However, I and other fans feel that many of their criticisms are unfair and typical of mainstream prejudice against genre entertainment.

By contrast, I’ve found video game flick Prince of Persia nearly unwatchable, and a preview image for the upcoming Lone Ranger also stirs doubts about its quality aside from easy parody. I’d love to role-play in a Barsoom game run by Tim M.B., Jason E.R., Brian W., or other scholars of early science fiction, perhaps using GURPS Mars, Savage Worlds, or FATE 3e Spirit of the Century and Starblazer Adventures. I recommend John Carter to anyone who appreciates old-fashioned sword-and-planet fun.

“Vortex” Update 5a.28 — Garden riot

Fellow role-players, here are my belated notes for Session 5a.28 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 1 met on Monday, 6 February 2012, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Bulldogs, Diaspora, and Limitless Horizons.

>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 1 (5a), crew of the “Blackbird:”

-“Syzygy” [Brian W.]-Trinoid (trilateral amphibious alien) xenologist with an organic laboratory and a pet cat named “Mr. Sniffles”

-“Tela” [Sara F.]-female Tharian (winged reptilian humanoid alien) escapee from the Encegulans, engineer

-“Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran cyborg human sniper working for eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.

-“Lt. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.]-male Terran human, burned-out officer and explorer in the Interplanetary Patrol

-“Scoop Chang” [Rich C.G.]-male Jovian “near-human,” interstellar reporter kidnapped by the Olvar; psi interested in First Contacts

-“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A.]-male Terran “near-human,” seeker of enlightenment and investigator met aboard the Ma’ari ship “Cyan Horizon”

-“Aughest-vor…” [Jason E.R./absent]-male human from the Lemuria orbital city, onetime dilettante, solar-sail racer, pilot

-“Gombo Shisel” [Rich L./absent]-male Mongolian/Martian human, former horse rancher and wilderness survival expert

-“Dr. Bucket” [Non-Player Character]-United Earth Authority astromech robot assigned to the Blackbird

>>“19 to 21 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” About 40 light-years from Earth, the human explorers and their alien allies evaded slug-like Encegulans at the Ruby Lantern Resort. The crews of the Blackbird and Dragonfly regrouped at the Regatta Hotel, where Aughest-vor… had reserved a luxurious suite.

No stranger to scandal, Aughest checks the local news for Sector 12 (also known as “the Merging”). The information networks mention an incident at the Ruby Lantern, but they don’t identify any participants. Syzygy observes that it would be bad for business if the brothel’s proprietors publicly admitted a breach of their security.

Chris McKee believes that the slavers would more likely hire bounty hunters for revenge than notify Oasis Station’s overall authorities. With Tela’s help, Scoop Chang uses his Eyebot EVE to hack into the Ruby Lantern’s internal systems. They alter surveillance recordings and spread diversionary rumors about Meorr (lion-like berserkers; created by David F.R-B.).

Tela is afraid of being recaptured by the Encegulans and watches over boyfriend Kedar, who is hung over from the previous night’s carousing at the “Privateer’s Perch” in Sector 10, “the Rusted Link.” Tariq Asrad Saladin recommends that his new companions stick more closely to standard operating procedures for discretion.

Lt. Kevin Reese reminds the group of its missions — to find a missing Kharvamid agent and use a Precursor jump gate to warn the United Earth Authority (U.E.A.) of the approaching Zarkonian Armada. He calls Nycla of Clan Firehoof [Brian/N.P.C.] to ask for help. The fierce Gustrall (raptor-like extraterrestrial) agrees to meet at moonset in the Merging.

Syzygy, Kevin, and Scoop resume the search for the Kharvamid Alliance spy. They ask concierge Mr. Blix about the best places to see and be seen in Sector 11, “the Swift Course.” They are directed to a grand observation deck, where they can watch yachts, interstellar skiffs, and solar-sail racers.

The Trinoid and Terrans see a few Olvar (mammal-like arboreal aliens) wearing archaic human fashions, no doubt inspired by old radio and television transmissions. One has the scarf and goggles of an early aviator. Cyril is interested in seeing the “Morifaiwet” — the original name of the scout ship Blackbird.

Meanwhile, Tariq, Tela, and Chris try to discreetly find out more about the jump gate. Aughest-vor, Kedar, Mr. Sniffles, and Dr. Bucket wait back on the Blackbird. Cestolar (badger-like) trader Ibor vos Talshun [Rich/N.P.C.] takes the squad in his “Metal Vessel” back to the Merging.

Agent Prometheus wants to check with the Port Authority on clues to the gate’s location, ostensibly by asking again about the Trinoid ship the “Nautiloid.” Tela is curious when she sees an Aerdary, a member of a client species of the Gustrall that resembles a chocobo.

At the Regatta Hotel, Syzygy, Lt. Reese, and Scoop meet with an Aquarian (amphibious) diplomat. Plorb [Beruk/N.P.C.] asks for Terran help protecting refugees from Zarkonian attacks on his homeworld. Interplanetary Patrol officer Kevin says that he’ll pass along Plorb’s request to the U.E.A.

Xenologist Syzygy reassures the Aquarian emissary that human inquisitiveness and aggressiveness should help his cause. Journalist Scoop records the conversation but promises to edit it as needed so as not to reveal too much about Earth or Aquaria.

At moonset, Tela, Chris, and Tariq meet with mercenary Nycla and two smugglers. Kerenar [Bruce/N.P.C.] is a Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) selling virtual reality headsets, and Turvel Dosk [Rich/N.P.C.] is another Cestolar. The Tharian and Terrans don’t trust the traders, but each offers potentially valuable information.

Kerenar says that a relative of his named Serenar is one of the scientists studying the jump gate. The Ru’ulok says that the faster-than-light mode of transport has been reactivated, but no life forms have used it yet.

Agent Prometheus doesn’t trust the burly Ru’ulok, who the Black Box Security Co. agent believes is motivated purely by profit. Investigator Tariq wisely monitors communications and tries to sense the motivations of the aliens.

Short Turvel tells wary Tela that he can provide a ship to get close to the as-yet-undisclosed location of the Precursor device. Nycla apologizes for making the group wait while she privately conferred with her contacts, and she says she knows some of the guards protecting the jump gate from disputing claimants.

Impatient with the shady smugglers, Tariq, Chris, and Tela walk out of the negotiations. They note that they need to confer with the rest of their crew before devising a plan for the jump gate.

Back at the Swift Course, Plorb’s attaché Marvog interrupts the diplomatic conversation. The Cetaran (plesiosaur-like alien; created by Byron V.O.) aide mentions that something called a Zurmiz Krott has attacked Sector 6, “the Grower.”

Plorb surprises Syzygy, Kevin, and Scoop by asking to join them as they head to the scene. He explains that the Zurmiz Krott are believed to be bioengineered scouts for the Zarkonians, but there are few reliable reports on their true nature.

The explorers are horrified to find a cannibalistic riot at the Smiling Goddess Food Court. Syzygy meets fellow Trinoid scientist Selenium [Josh/N.P.C.] and synthesizes anesthetic spores.

Lt. Reese shoulders his way through the mob of assorted species to rescue an Olvar tourist trapped in a tree in the garden level. She is wearing robes from an old Terran adventure serial and carries a plasma blade. Scoop uses Genurgy to armor up and fly in search of the riot’s cause.

Syzygy contacts his crewmates in the Merging, and they hasten to the Grower. Tela notices security forces massing in one docking bay, so she picks another to land in. Chris readies his sniper rifle, and Tariq helps them bluff their way past panicked guards and a Sulishi (furry snail) officer.

Even though they’re able to fend off hungry hordes in the orbital habitat, the newcomers struggle to stay together. Inventive Syzygy and Selenium overcome their differences to incapacitate much of the crowd, as stalwart Agent Prometheus, Tariq, and Plorb protect them with rifle and fists.

Brave Kevin gets tourist Hannah [Sara/N.P.C.] to safety, as winged Tela glides toward curious Scoop. They identify the source of the disturbance as a dark, bulbous mass sitting in the middle of rows of hydroponic crops. It telepathically tempts them toward homicidal madness.

Oasis Station police try to contain the crowd, and Syzygy is distressed at the loss of life. Selenium is more interested in getting a sample from the Zurmiz Krott, which is successful in turning Tela against Kevin! Plorb and Hannah fall back, while Scoop unleashes mental blasts, and Chris looks for targets.

Tariq runs around alien trees as the Zarkonian probe raises itself on three spindly legs. The martial artist radios his companions to aim for the tripod legs rather than the armored body. Scoop is briefly overcome by the Trinoid spores, and Kevin knocks Tela’s EMP gun from her hand and rescues the reporter.

Tariq resists the insanity, while Syzygy treats the wounded. Tela eventually verifies the Zurmiz Krott’s weak points. Chris fires armor-piercing rounds, and Lt. Reese lobs grenades. Scoop psionically reshapes his arms into bladelike weapons, and he joins the others in toppling the hostile device.

As Oasis Station forces finally secure the area, Selenium asks Syzygy for help getting access to the fallen Zurmiz Krott. Tela wants to check on Kedar and the Blackbird, and Agent Prometheus is pleased that his specialized ammunition worked.

Lt. Reese calls Aughest-vor, Dr. Bucket, and Nycla for backup and extraction, while Scoop meticulously records the scene for further analysis. Tariq talks with Plorb and Hannah to see if they’re OK and to ask more about the probe or jump gate….

Back in the Sol system, the grifters on the Appomattox [Team 2] regroup after encountering S.R.E. repossession agents at a house party near Atlanta….

I hope that all of you are doing well during our break from my regular games while Janice and I — and Josh & Sara — settle in after our recent moves!

I hope that the one-shots and miniseries of Josh, Rich, James, and Paul are successful, and I hope to resume my campaigns soon! For example, Josh has offered to run a “Spelljammer” swashbuckling space fantasy scenario using FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre while we wait to get back to my Pathfinder/Skype: “the Uncommon Companions” telecom fantasy game.

Brian and Rich have offered to host “Vortex” Team 1, which could meet in the next few Mondays. Let us know your availability, and take it easy, -Gene