“Vortex” Update 5a.18 — Mining mystery and undersea intrigue

From Disney's "Atlantis: the Lost Empire" — Mining vehicle

Fellow role-players, here are Josh C.’s and my notes for Session 5a.18 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 1 met on Monday, 6 June 2011, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, 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 in the Asteroid Belt from the Olvar Star League, they continued their mission of diplomacy and exploration to Titan, Tyche, and Alpha Centauri….

>>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.

-“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 human, burned-out officer and explorer in the Interplanetary Patrol

-“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

Scene 1: Now I lay me down to sleep…

>>”Agent Prometheus'” report, “23 to 30 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” After retrieving a space marine from gas-giant dwellers near Alpha Centauri, the Blackbird continues its journey toward Oasis Station, about 40 parsecs from Earth. Although the crew members don’t experience visions as they did during the first activation of their REM faster-than-light (FTL) drive, their sleep is far from restful.

The exploration vessel briefly drops out of Transit space near Sol to send and receive data packets. Syzygy reports to Trinoid “sharer” Solipsy near Titan about his human companions’ successful first contacts, but Tela is less happy about news of expanding Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) influence.

Chris McKee receives covert instructions from Black Box Security Co., and Lt. Kevin Reese checks in with his superiors at Interplanetary Patrol. Mr. Gray inquires about Lt. Reese’s state of mind and health and is interested in data from new worlds.

Aughest-vor… learns that his cousin Raine has been busy, as megacorporation Vimeco obtains contracts from the United Earth Authority. The onetime solar-sail racer also finds that the Xox Memes, an anarchist group of artificial intelligences, has distributed Ru’ulok FTL plans. In addition, Aughest sends a polite note to Tu Han, a woman he met on Mars.

The Blackbird resumes its journey to Van Maanen’s Star, 14 light-years from Sol. Pilot Aughest-vor programs “hotkeys” for the starhip’s controls and suffers flashbacks to his days as a wealthy playboy. Kevin joins him in the cockpit, despite increasing fatigue.

Scientist Syzygy and robot Dr. Bucket take advantage of the situation to study the effects of the REM drive on their companions. Skittish Tela stays in engineering, working on a secret project. Agent Prometheus is even more paranoid, cleaning his guns in his cabin and eyeing Dr. Bucket.

Scene 2: Heavy metal moons

The crew recovers somewhat before arriving at Van Maanen’s Star, a white dwarf with an asteroid belt and two surviving planets. The Olvar Star League, a longtime observer of human culture, has named the frigid gas giants “Absolom” and “Methuselah.” Each planet has large, dense moons.

A scan of Ruhema, the innermost satellite of Absolom, reveals orderly piles of slag and abandoned mining equipment. Chris and Kevin are eager to explore extraterrestrial artifacts so close to Terran space, so they fire up the Dragonfly drop ship to the metallic moon.

Aughest again expertly avoids strong magnetic fields and lands the Dragonfly about 100 meters from a large alien vehicle. He claims the moon in the name of holding company “OPM-Pharsmor.” Syzygy awkwardly maneuvers around the piles of once-molten iron, and Tela must use her vacuum suit’s jets rather than her natural wings to glide.

Watchful Chris takes his rifle and secures the perimeter, as Lt. Reese and Tela bravely enter the mining vessel, despite warnings. The nimble Tharian figures out how to work the hatches, and she and the lieutenant climb a strange shaft to an observation deck near the top of the tracked vehicle.

Syzygy maintains radio contact with his friends, who also record what they’re seeing. Tela and Kevin find rungs on all surfaces, but no obvious labels. Their companions theorize that it was used by a climbing species similar to Tela’s and not previously known to the Kharvamid Alliance.

On the next deck down, they enter probable crew quarters, but there are no furnishings behind the round doors. Occasional valves spew dust, which Tela samples for Syzygy.

When Tela and Kevin get to a large common area, Syzygy suggests that they adjust their helmet visors. In the ultraviolet, they suddenly perceive numerous characters, which Dr. Bucket eventually translates as Aquarian, the language of an amphibious starfaring species. This explains the strange corridors and rungs — the ancient vehicle was once filled with water!

On the command and control deck, curious Tela starts manipulating levers, activating the long-dormant digger! It begins drilling into Ruhema’s hard crust, spewing metal in all directions. After a few scary moments, Tela is able to deactivate the Aquarian miner, but she and Kevin have to force open the hatches to exit.

As old as the equipment is, Syzygy and Aughest suspect that the metal mounds covering the moon are older still. Some of the fragments dug up by the archaic device are mechanical. Chris follows the now-tilted vehicle’s tracks back and finds some tunnels that it had dug.

Amplifying helmet lights, the away team descends, past meters of melted metal until it finds itself surrounded by machinery of unknown origin. Syzygy and Aughest suspect that the entire moon was once covered by an exotic generator or factory damaged when the star went nova.

Chris recalls reading about Precursor races in the Blackbird‘s computers. However, Tela and Kevin soon report a more alarming phenomenon — their suits are being drained of power! The group rushes to the surface and checks the Dragonfly, which is experiencing a lesser power drop.

Syzygy believes that he has found the reason why the Aquarians abandoned a potentially lucrative operation on Ruhema. Back on the Blackbird, the team continues its system survey after Chris requests a polar sweep.

The glum moon of Elric is a pale, cold world, with ruined spires and a thin, windy atmosphere [apologies to Michael Moorcock]. Ezekiel is a barren rock, so the travelers turn their attention to Methuselah and its moons. The outer one, Whistler’s Mother, is an iceball.

Scene 3: Voyage to the bottom of the sea

The next body, dubbed “Dorian Gray,” also appears to be a ball of ice at first, but closer scans indicate oceans and life signs beneath the 100-foot-thick glaciers. Lt. Reese looks for a thinner point in the ice, and Aughest plots a diving course.

Agent Prometheus happily climbs into the gun turret and burns a path with the Blackbird‘s particle cannon. Tela makes quick modifications to ensure that the experimental scout ship can withstand the pressure, and Syzygy verifies that the water will be tolerable.

The Blackbird enters and is soon accosted by two squid-like submarines. Using Dr. Bucket’s Aquarian translations and subsonic speakers, Syzygy greets the escorts. They are suspicious that the outlanders are from something called the Corvell Unity and order them to closely follow back to Albahaven.

In the dim seas, the explorers see ornate cities made from grown crystals. Exotic lifeforms swim past a submerged continental shelf, and Syzygy infers from contaminants and transmissions that the native Aquarians are at a level of technology similar to that of 18th or 19th century Earth.

After donning suits and leaving the Blackbird, the crew meets the humanoid Gen. Qualish in a special chamber that can contain air rather than water. (It also has an examination table with restraints.) He explains that the descendants of the Aquarians have different beliefs about life beyond “Dorian Gray’s” ice. Recognizing Syzygy as a Trinoid, the general says that he doesn’t believe tales of demons, but he adds that his scientists have proposed that their origins lay elsewhere.

Gen. Qualish also agrees that his world is dying, as falling temperatures and rising pollution are aggravated by war with Queen Shulis of the Corvell Unity. He argues that Albahaven’s enemies are superstitious and belligerent. Lt. Reese and Aughest-vor manage to get Gen. Qualish (whom they trust about as much as Black Box) to let the Terrans, Trinoid, and Tharian attempt to contact the rival undersea nation‘s queen….

I hope that all of you have had a good fortnight. Please note that after David I.S., Thomas K.Y.’s, and my fun visit to New York City, the Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy game resumed on June 19, and “Vortex” Team 1 (the Blackbird) meets again on June 20. Team 2 (the Appomattox) is scheduled to play on June 27. Be seeing you, -Gene

BBQ and books in New York City

At Madison Square Park — Near the Empire State Building

To continue my report of David I.S., Thomas K.Y.’s, and my latest visit to Manhattan, on Sunday, 12 June 2011, host Corbin A.Y. got us a classic breakfast at East Side Bagel & Appetizing. After saying goodbye to Andria K.Y. and Maia Y. for the morning, we again headed downtown.

We met Thomas at the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Madison Square Park. (His host Stuart C.G. also rejoined us later.) While mostly college friends had joined us the day before, this time, the “Westchester crew” arrived — Damon F.P., Carlo R., and Ron J.K. Unfortunately, fellow Stepinac alumnus Steve M. was unable to come down from Connecticut because of a train fatality. Fellow Binghamtonians Dexter V.H. and Steve A.L. also eventually joined us.

Dave was pleased to find Dinosaur Bar-B-Que represented, and I enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches, sausage, and beer. The guys, some of whom hadn’t seen one another in years, caught up on relationships, jobs, and computer talk as we chowed down. It’s hard to believe that we’ve all been friends for 25 years or more!

Rather than waddle to the New York Expo or “Figment NYC” for even more food, Corbin graciously took us to his and Andria’s current offices, where we were able to lounge and talk without difficulty. As with “herding cats” the day before, I learned the value of including a private space for hanging out in the agenda for such visits. Who knows — next time, I might even run a one-shot game!

We then walked to the Strand Bookstore, one of the biggest independent brick-and-mortar booksellers left. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to spend as much time in the stacks as I had hoped, because I had to get Carlo (who had met us on both days) to a restroom after he became ill from something he had eaten. Spicy or fatty food, undercooked meat, and overeating and fatigue are hazards no matter where one travels.

Carlo eventually got his second wind, and we “urban hiked” to more retailers, including Cosmic Comics, which had lots of back issues, and the well-organized Time Machine. Dave didn’t find the obscure titles he sought, but Carlo learned about recent events in the DC and Marvel universes. Both retailers had good indie selections.

Since Carlo and Damon were tiring out, we stopped at a Pinkberry for yogurt snacks rather than press on to Book-Off, Metropolis Collectibles, Midtown Comics, or St. Mark’s Comics. So much to see, so little time! As I noted previously, I should block out time for roaming separately from group gatherings.

As we gradually disbanded, Dave, Thomas, and I found ourselves back on the Upper East Side. We stopped by Corb & Andria’s place and then met Stuart and his sons Sammy and Benji. We first tried to get dinner at Flex Mussels, but that restaurant was full, and we didn’t have a reservation. Fortunately, our second choice, Ithaka, had traditional Greek food. Dave and Thomas lived in Ithaca, N.Y., when they taught at Cornell University.

On Monday, June 13, Corbin escorted Dave and me to Penn Station, where we departed for Albany and Boston, respectively. On the way back, I began reading the fantasy mystery The City and the City, which Janice had read. Thomas planned to grab another dinner with Stuart before catching a red-eye train back north early Tuesday.

Since then, I’ve been busy with my second annual review at work, turnover in my department, and getting over a bad cold that Ron, a co-worker, and I all caught earlier this week. Among other things, I also watched the recorded half-season finale of Doctor Who, which I liked, despite a spotty season.

This coming weekend is Free RPG Day, as well as the opening of Green Lantern (although this Muppet trailer is more amusing). My Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy game and FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera will also resume for a few sessions.

Manhattan museums and herding cats

In the Metropolitan Museum of Art — At the Met's temple of Dendur

Friends, I hope you’ve had a good week. I’m taking a break — the first of several this summer — from the usual games and genre entertainment reports as I catch up after a visit to New York City. I enjoyed seeing friends from high school and college through grad school and beyond, but I was also reminded of why it’s important to plan when juggling various groups of people.

On Friday, 10 June 2011, fellow blogger Thomas K.Y. and I met at Boston’s Route 128 train station, where we boarded Amtrak‘s late-morning Northeast Regional. We chatted and read on the way, and we met David I.S. (who came from Rochester, N.Y., by way of Albany) and Stuart C.G. at Penn Station in New York. I normally don’t like being bothered by cell phones, but they were useful here.

Since I grew up in and around the city, I was glad to be surrounded by diverse throngs. We walked to the offices of Corbin A.Y. & Andria K.Y. in downtown Manhattan. They introduced us to their boss Franz J., a dynamic and personable speaker and expert on innovation.

From there, we went to the Museum of Sex, which was interesting and definitely not for the uptight or underage. Some of the exhibits reminded me of Isabella Rossellini’s lighthearted cable television shows Green Porno and Seduce Me. Thomas then left with his host, Stu, whose two sons (Sammy and Benji) were waiting. Their mother Zoe was out of town.

Corb took Dave and me to his new apartment on the Upper East Side, only a few blocks from Stuart’s family. We met Andria and happy Maia and checked out the pool and the impressive vistas from Hampton House‘s roof deck before going to dinner nearby. Dave and I were happy to get New York-style pizza, among other things, at Italian Village.

During each night of my visit, Dave, Corbin, and I would chat on Corb’s balcony and enjoy the views of the city until about midnight. The next morning, we met Thomas, Stuart and his sons, as well as Carlo R., Steve A.L., Brian D.H., and Erik B.L. & Wei T.L. and young Emma L. at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Since the weather was cool and rainy, we went into the museum rather than to the First Avenue Street Fair, the 116th Street Festival, or the Puerto Rican Day Parade. I hadn’t visited the Met in several years, so it was nice to see familiar exhibits, such as the temple of Dendur, musical instruments, arms and armor collection, or the Chinese Garden Court.

On the other hand, the crowded galleries, impatient children, and the fact that the museum wasn’t everyone’s first choice of venue did make it difficult to keep our group together. We had some good conversations about history, politics, and more, but I also found myself “herding cats.”

For lunch, our party of 12 went to Shake Shack, as Brian and others had recommended. I’d compare the small but growing hamburger chain favorably with Five Guys, although scarce seating (the rain didn’t help) led one patron to try to pick an argument with Wei.

As planned, we headed downtown by subway, aided by bicyclists Brian and Steve’s expertise in local geography. Stuart, Sammy, Benji, and Thomas left us at a Barnes & Noble to screen Super 8. They later reported that they enjoyed the retro alien-invasion flick. Wei (like other wives Janice, Andria, Michele, and Zoe) had other commitments. I was flattered that, despite their interest in the movie, Carlo, Corbin, Steve, Brian, and Erik stayed with us.

Dave and I were interested in comparing notes on comic book and game shops, so we visited Jim Hanley’s Universe, which had friendly staff, and the more touristy Forbidden Planet. We also went to the Compleat Strategist, a gaming chain with branches in Falls Church, Virginia, and downtown Boston, both near places I’ve lived. I picked up a few back issues and role-playing supplements.

In hindsight, meeting at the museum was a good idea, especially given the inclement weather. On the other hand, even it was crowded, and only a few people were interested in the various stores, so we could have managed our time a bit better. Next time, I’d try to have a few rendezvous points and less time roaming.

For dinner, we had good Ukrainian cuisine at Veselka (I had seven different pierogi), followed by rich desserts at Vaneiro’s Pastry Shop in the East Village. Dave and I had been craving ethnic food, and we were not disappointed. Brian helped us get back to Corb’s place, but our weekend was only half over!

“Vanished Lands” Update T3.29: Interrogation and cartography

The world as a D20 — Ley lines and gaming

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.29 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 5 June 2011, and has been using Pathfinder, Skype, and an online dice roller.

In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. After “Holy Steel‘s” journey to the distant empire of Khemet, another motley group gathered in the northwestern “Vanished Lands” to explore a world full of perils and wonders….

After meeting in the Wisalef Forest, the adventurers encountered the hostile Centaur followers of Vappu Lahja and a haunted hamlet on the Plains of Sathendo….

>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of summer 2011:

-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard); NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 3

-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras, god of contracts and brotherhood; LGn, Lvl. 3

-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 3

-“Jovinda Halflight” [Sammy H.]-female Half-Elf (Grugach/Hifalendorin) Cleric of Mekkil, goddess of nature; owner of horse Wyth-Amoi, or “Wind Spirit”; NGl, Age 23, Lvl. 3

-“Kazuo Takenaga” [Taum D’A.]-male Nezumi (Rat-kin) Monk from the Zedu kingdom in the Therud Forest; LNg, Age 20, Lvl. 3

-“Asish Chen Ti” [Byron V.O./absent]-male Tsucharim human archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from the kingdom of Gokuri; owner of Akita dog Genghis and horse Onimusha; NGl, Age 20, Lvl. 3

-“Favelhorn Riftbringer” [Dexter V.H./absent]-male Mountain Dwarf Summoner; CGn, Age 51, Lvl. 1

“28 August 1229 B.C.E.:” Before searching for peasants from Alarn, which had been attacked by mischievous Fey and horrifying Undead, the adventuring party continued its investigations in the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city of Nadwi.

The shop of Eligius, an antiquarian of interest to mysterious mage Octavius Karstus, was attacked. Kazuo chased a winged assassin across rooftops near the market square and eventually subdued him with help from Jovinda.

Meanwhile, back at Eligius’ store, Gawain keeps an eye out for the Nezumi and Half-Elf, and Digger checks to see if anything in particular was taken when it was ransacked. Honorable Kovar continues guarding the merchant in the sewers below.

Jovinda and Kazuo drag the unconscious reptile-kin into an alley. They tie him up, and the priestess of Mekkil runs back to the antiques shop. Meanwhile, Asish returns to the “Deer’s Heart” tavern after seeing “Jade Xi” [Sammy/Non-Player Character] at the Arena of Arakkis. The Ranger gets a note from his companions and goes to meet them.

Gawain goes with Jovinda, and they find the darkened alley empty! Kazuo whispers to them from a side door to the temple of Shebsen, lady luck. The cautious Monk explains that he thought it best to hide the prisoner in the casino rather than risk being discovered on the street by the city watch or others.

Casting Invisibility on the dragon-kin and Bull’s Strength on himself, Illusionist Gawain easily picks up the prisoner and carries him south. Asish, finding Eligius’ shop darkened, climbs onto the roof before hearing and seeing an alarmed Digger and Kovar.

Reunited, the party searches and interrogates the reptile man, who is uncooperative. Easterners Asish and Kazuo examine a stiletto and a curved knife but finds no identifying marks or documents. Kovar theorizes that Octavius Karstus may have hired the murderer as a backup plan to Digger obtaining Eligius’ map of the northwestern borderlands.

Rogue Digger asks humans Gawain and Asish to leave, and the Halfling, Half-Elf, Nezumi, and Half-Orc try to get the assassin to confess any connections to Octavius Karstus or Vappu Lahja. While the gargoyle-like creature remains defiant, he recognizes both names and says that “the time of man is ending.”

After much persuading by Digger, Jovinda, and Kovar, merchant Eligius finally turns over the parchment map to them for further study. He shows how some of the markings are drawn over an older map that was partially scraped away.

Gawain and Digger note that Ley lines influence Elven settlement patterns and would be useful to a Wizard or an enemy of the Waletku kingdom. Jovinda adds that the Unseelie Court, rogue Fey such as those allied with Vappu Lahja, would also be interested in a map of mystical currents.

Kovar, Jovinda, and Kazuo are glad to turn over the assassin to Lionel Tarchon, an officer in Nadwi’s city watch. Eligius still worries about his safety, but Asish, Gawain, and Digger promise to compare his map to what they can learn of the area north of the city. The explorers wrap up their research and prepare to ride….

If I’ve left anything out, or if you want to continue party discussions, please use the Google Groups message board. As noted elsewhere, our next virtual games are scheduled for June 19 and 26, July 24, and August 14. The FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera teams will also be on hiatus for most of July because of summer travel. In the meantime, stay in touch! -Gene

“Vortex” Update 5b.16 — “Jolly Roger’s Chicken”

"Empress Marava"-class far trader — The "Star Shark"

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5b.16 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 2 met on Monday, 30 May 2011, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Diaspora, and Limitless Horizons.

After encountering robotic probes, regional warlords, and other horrors in an old battlefield and the Ghanki undersea station, a band of grifters and near-humans escaped to the Shepard 2 orbital city. It conducted a successful heist in the Lunar Free State and was involved in medical disasters in the Venusian colonies before returning to Earth to steal a faster-than-light drive…..

>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 2 (5b), crew of the Appomattox:

-“Gabriel Adams” [Paul J.]-male North American Terran near-human with telepathy, courier and pilot

-“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A.]-male Latin American Terran human, “burned” operative and communications expert

-“ARTHERR” [Greg D.C.]-Advanced Resonance Theoretical Heuristic Exploration and Research Robot created by megacorp Vimeco

-“Dr. Richmond Garrett” [Dave S.C./Greg]-male Southern American Terran human, space snake-oil salesman and social climber

-“Jasmine” [Sara F./absent] female Martian Felinoid (Synth, “Uplifted” tiger), former professional pit fighter

-“Dr. Dieter Klein” [Rich L./absent]-male European Terran human, semi-retired physician, altruist and thrill seeker

-“Nero Bartholomew” [Non-Player Character]-male Terran human, former owner of the “Fortune’s Fool,” ship’s cook

-“Averki ‘Deep Dish’ Dyashenko” [N.P.C.]-male reptilian Synth (genetically engineered humanoid), onetime Venusian miner

>>”26 to 30 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era:” The grifters prepare for a heist of starship engines from the Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) trader “Star Shark,” as tipped off by Gorvek Beezo and Rabak Porset during a card game. Gabriel Adams contacts Lillian Morrissey, but the “fixer” is initially unable to find him a chop shop near Blackrock Station. The courier buys pirate disguises for the raiding party.

Hector Chavez has more luck with his onetime handler, Max. The former spy obtains electronic burglary gear, as well as access codes for an orbital dock occasionally used by smugglers. Hector also monitors the Appomattox‘s internal sensors and local traffic control on the far side of the Moon.

As MERLIN (for “Masters of Earthly Lubricated Information Network”), ARTHERR communicates with fellow A.I. (artificial intelligence) Gordon Wong to verify that the anarchist Xox Memes will distribute plans for faster-than-light (FTL) drives. The robot also asks for information on the shipment of Vatican artifacts that the Appomattox took on for fixer “Ramon Sanchez” [Josh H./Non-Player Character].

Dr. Richmond Garrett readies his latest scam as a deliveryman for “Jolly Roger’s Chicken,” aided by Gabriel’s pirate costumes. The snake-oil salesman directs Nero Bartholomew and Averki “Deep Dish” Dyashenko to cook enough chicken to satisfy a hungry skeleton crew of Ru’ulok.

Jasmine is reluctant to participate in another theft (the maneuver drive was stolen from the U.E.V. Parsifal) but conceals her identity beneath a full pirate’s coat. Dr. Dieter Klein leaves supplies of sedatives before departing to visit some friends on another space yacht.

ARTHERR ensures that the rented orbital transfer vehicles, or “CDVs” (for chicken delivery vehicles), can not only deliver the drugged food to the Star Shark but are also able to transfer its Transit engines back to the Appomattox. In addition, ARTHERR applies decals to the CDVs.

Capt. Adams studies escape routes in Earth orbit, and Hector sets up masking of emissions at the space dock. Dr. Garrett pays for the CDVs with funds from shell company “MarSoupAiL” (Mars Soup Aid Lenders Ltd.). ARTHERR brings antitoxins in case his crewmates need to partake in the feast.

Hector and Jasmine take one CDV, and Gabriel, ARTHERR, and Richmond take the other to the Star Shark (as translated from Ru’ulok), most of whose crew is on shore leave. Capt. Droata is initially reluctant to accept an order she didn’t make, but the buckets of crispy chicken help the persuasive pirates talk their way aboard the “Marava“-class trader.

The Terrans see two additional reptilian aliens aboard the Ru’ulok ship: a glider-winged Tharian servant and a dog-like Calot. They already know that Droata’s metabolism is similar to that of humans, but ARTHERR checks databases for records of the other species. The Calot is apparently a Ru’ulok pet, and another Tharian (“Tela”) has been seen eating and drinking at locations around the Sol system.

Overconfident Droata leads the infiltrators past the Star Shark‘s cargo bay to a 2-G dining room, where they take their time setting up the drugged food and beverages. Gabriel and Richmond make small talk to distract Droata and Tegar, while Hector plants a bug among the dishes and utensils. He also jams any communications from leaving the vessel.

Jasmine pets the Calot, and Droata is impressed with her replica cutlass. The delivery staff shows itself out to wait for the sedatives to take effect. As soon as Hector detects that the Ru’ulok captain has passed out, the thieves return. However, the Tharian finds Hector’s device and grabs the cutlass!

ARTHERR tazes Tegar, who strikes him with the sword. Gabriel jumps and knocks the Tharian down, and Hector incapacitates her with the butt of his pistol. They quickly break into the captain’s quarters to retrieve security and engineering data.

Pilot Gabriel brings the CDVs around, and engineers Hector and ARTHERR uninstall the Star Shark‘s FTL drive. Jasmine and Dr. Garrett watch over the unconscious aliens and look out for reinforcements from the Red Manta.

As a shuttle approaches from Blackrock Station, Gabriel leads Hector in hiding the CDVs behind orbital garbage, where they later ditch them. ARTHERR aids with scans and, as MERLIN, contacts Wong. The anarchist A.I. asks that the Appomattox test the FTL before Xox Memes will distribute the plans.

While the drives are installed, Hector and ARTHERR monitor the news media. They notice no mention of the Star Shark, as Gorvek had predicted, and reports of ongoing colonial strife. Jasmine and Deep Dish look forward to leaving Earth.

Hector’s handler Max had mentioned a derelict ship at the edge of the Sol system, so Gabriel sets a course for it. Hector activates the Ru’ulok Transit engines, which can go 1 light-year per Terran day. The Appomattox finds the Dawn’s Retreat drifting with no apparent crew or passengers.

MERLIN contacts Gordon Wong, who says that the removal of art from the Vatican museums must have been an inside job, since law enforcement authorities have not been notified. The A.I. also observes that the United Ecumenical Movement has reassigned numerous chaplains to the outer colonies. Telepath Gabriel is aware of U.E.M. efforts to recruit psions.

Gabriel, Hector, and ARTHERR board the Dawn’s Retreat and find empty cabins, odd dials and levers, and Esperanto signage. The ship is obviously military in design, but there are no signs of combat. Hector’s scans reveal that the airlocks have cycled at least twice.

On the engineering deck, Gabriel makes psychic contact with a presence. It asks whether they have gotten away safely, and Gabriel confirms that the ship is near Earth. ARTHERR traces the entity to the main generator, but it seems to be unaware of the passage of time and its own lack of a corporeal form….

Sara and Dave, we missed you at the Memorial Day game. Characters in both adventuring parties should now have 7 aspects and 20 skill points, so remember to update your and my records.

Please note that “Vortex” Team 2 won’t be meeting again until 27 June 2011, because I’ll be visiting friends in New York City. Team 1 (the crew of the Blackbird) is scheduled for next Monday and June 20. Paul and Beruk, I look forward to seeing you virtually at this coming Sunday’s Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy session. Later, -Gene