Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.23 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 27 January 2013. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

In one future, humanity has begun to colonize the Sol system, but environmental degradation, population pressures, and internecine conflict persist. The rediscovery of mystical abilities and open and official First Contact with galactic societies, themselves at war, threaten Terra’s very survival. Can heroes rise to the challenges?

“Vortex: Terra’s Pride” (Team 5c/3) Player Character rosters: Crew of the yacht Pina Colada:

• “Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F., primary]-female Martian Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” tiger), former pit fighter and crewmember of the Appomattox, now captain of the Pina Colada searching for a homeworld for her people

• “Hector Chavez” [Beruk A., primary]-male Terran human, former spy and crewmember on theAppomattox, cautious engineer and communications expert

• “Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C., primary]-male Terran human, former assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co., sniper and seeker aboard the Blackbird and Pina Colada

• “Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C., primary]-male Pomuyan (blue telepathic humanoid alien), irrepressible mystic and thrill-seeking galactic hitchhiker

• “Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O., primary]-male Terran “near-human” (genetically modified) xenobiologist, curious and confident planetary patriot; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

• “Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K., primary, absent]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird and Dauntless crews; defender of the homeworld

• “Chiron” [Dexter V.H., primary]-male (secretly android) pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

Crew of the experimental scout ship Blackbird:

• “Lt. Sebastian Growlick” [Bruce K., secondary, absent]-male Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” lion), elite soldier and acting commander of the refitted Blackbird

• “Tela” [Sara F., secondary]-female Tharian (gargoyle-like alien), escapee from the Encegulans (slug-like slavers), fond of humans; engineer with boyfriend Kedar and robot Dr. Bucket

• “Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A., secondary]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) wanderer with a past, investigator

• “Lord Wallace Tubbington III” [Josh C., secondary]-male Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) swashbuckler and diplomat for the Kharvamid Alliance

• “Brun” [Geoff C., secondary]-male Martian Ursoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” bear), former wrestler, pilot

• “Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup” [Byron V.O., secondary]-male Terran human, gung-ho member of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps

• “Enkidu Aristheon” [Dexter V.H., secondary]-male Seranen (pale empathic humanoid alien) exile, wilderness survival expert curious about Terrans and the Zarkonian threat; with sphinx-like companion Glaucon

See other records for the previous crews of the Blackbird, Appomattox, and Gryphon.

“4 to 6 July 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” The “Terra’s Pride” task force traveled to a stash in interstellar space, but it encountered two rival vessels. The Pina Colada managed to dismiss alien hunters, while the Blackbird found humans and robots from the Plutonium Hammer conducting a salvage operation.

Aboard the yacht Pina Colada, Capt. Jasmine convenes a meeting to discuss options as “Terra’s Pride” heads back toward Earth. Hector Chavez reminds his companions of the history of the Vatican treasure, including how it was collected and initially hidden or thought lost, its resurfacing and theft, and the Appomattox ’s abortive delivery to the arachnid Nolath.

Amateur archaeologist Dr. Srinu Pahul asks about the mystical or extraterrestrial nature of the relics. Hector explains that they’re mainly significant to human culture and history, but smugglers may have hoped to trade them to aliens. Psions Orion Starchaser and Chiron hope to study the artifacts directly.

No stranger to secretive organizations, Chris McKee asks Jasmine which recipients would be acceptable for the cargo— corporations such as Black Box Security Co., Vimeco, or MarSoupAiL, or authorities such as the Union of Solar Nations or the United Ecumenical Movement. She prefers the latter.

Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese agrees with the captain and notes that it’s important for the crews to have a plan for when they leave faster-than-light Transit. Hector wonders if there is a legal basis for a counterclaim, but Kevin states that the Nolath and Kutalrin hunters and approaching Zarkonian Armada are bigger concerns than an apparently legitimate retrieval crew.

Meanwhile, the scout ship Blackbird escorts the Plutonium Hammer to the Sol system. Lt. Sebastian Growlick notes that real-time communications are impossible while in Transit, and engineer Tela asks robot Dr. Bucket to double-check the salvage contract upon their return.

Tariq Asrad Saladin looks in the ship’s Olvar database for connections between conspiracies such as the Illuminati and extraterrestrial interest in humanity. The wanderer shares Srinu’s interests and hopes to find a reason why the Vatican Museum items were being shipped away from Earth, but he finds nothing conclusive beyond the manifest.

Brun continues acclimating himself to the Blackbird’s biomechanical interface. The Ursoid pilot and Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup recommend taking the containers from the Plutonium Hammer by force and begin work on targeting solutions.

By contrast, Lord Wallace Tubbington III and Enkidu Aristheon hope for a peaceful solution. The Olvar and Seranen are also interested in learning more about the relics, but they urge against any interstellar incidents. Jasmine agrees with them.

The Plutonium Hammer drops out of Transit, followed by the Blackbird and, a discreet distance away, the Pina Colada. Scans indicate that they are approaching Jupiter rather than Earth. Electromagnetic and gravitic fields interfere with long-range sensors and communications.

On the Blackbird , Tariq tells his crewmates to beware of pirates in the outer system, and Tela observes that the Capt. Olaf Kurgos is broadcasting the Plutonium Hammer’s arrival. Capt. Growlick tells Brun and Sgt. Jessup to be ready on the guns, while Wallace and Enkidu ask about past shady dealings.

The Pina Colada watches as the other two ships head to New Yokohama on the moon Callisto. Former spy Hector explains to Capt. Jasmine that while he doesn’t want to remind local foes of the Gryphon, he would like to notify the Interplanetary Patrol of smuggling.

Chris, however, recommends watching and waiting to see who meets with Capt. Kurgos for the cargo. Orion and Chiron also want to avoid an armed confrontation, so the Pina Colada heads to a spaceport to dock.

Although they are too far to hack into the Plutonium Hammer‘s computers, Chiron mentions to engineer Hector that he’d like to explore ways to use the ship’s electronic warfare suite to boost his technopsi abilities. Srinu asks for medical scans.

At New Yokohama, Tela, Brun, Enkidu, Sebastian, Kedar, and Dr. Bucket stay aboard the Blackbird, while Tariq, Wallace, and Nathan don civvies and go ashore with Capt. Kurgos, his statuesque first mate Nerine Lellikssen, and Vimeco droid MuBot.

They catch a shuttle from Callisto to Ganymede. At the “Floating Cove” bar and grill, the crew members from the Blackbird and Plutonium Hammer meet Melita Veturia, a Canid (Doberman “Synth”) working with Intersystem Salvage. She is expecting Capt. Kurgos, but not the others.

Tariq inquires about how much Veturia knows about the Vatican treasure, and the fixer shrugs and says that she’s aware of its value. Veturia and Kurgos offer to let others in on the artifacts only after they’ve been successfully delivered. Tariq is very curious about a potential secret auction.

Space marine Nathan scans the other patrons at the Floating Cove and relays to Hector the presence of another Canid (“Uplifted” bull terrier) and a rare Octopoid (bioengineered cephalopod). He and Jasmine confirm that the latter is Kolidari, owner of the Lucky Garden Casino on Eclipse Station near Saturn’s moon Titan.

Hector warns that the grifters aboard the Appomattox suspected the Octopoid of murdering preacher Hugh Doyle in a plot involving religious factions, blackmail, and smuggling. Nathan considers notifying local authorities, but Jasmine points out that they’re probably already under Kolidari’s influence.

Wallace hangs back and chats with Melita, who says that she just wants to conclude the transaction with Capt. Kurgos and Nerine and get paid. The Olvar swashbuckler cites customs bureaucracy to stall for time.

Veturia makes a counteroffer: She will bring the cargo to a secure Intersystem Salvage facility on Ganymede but leave it on “neutral turf” until the ownership documentation is reviewed.

After a quick teleconference with captains Jasmine and Growlick, Tariq and Wallace agree to Veturia’s terms. Orion and Chiron still want to examine the relics themselves, but Nathan warns them that Kolidari is likely pulling the strings. Tela worries that the Nolath and their cyborg partners, the Kutalrin, are also still hunting around Jupiter for the cargo.

As robots offload containers from the Plutonium Hammer, the crews of the Pina Colada and the Blackbird regroup and debate whom they should contact and whether to conduct a reverse heist….

Beruk, I hope that you had a Happy Birthday! Bruce, we missed you at our latest virtual session, and please note that we won’t be meeting on Super Bowl Sunday. Dexter, Byron, and Geoff, I’m sorry that you missed parts of the game, but we can touch base in the next week or so.

While I’m sorry that the Boston-area, face-to-face group wasn’t able to meet this week because of quorum and the weather, I look forward to continuing the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy campaign and Jason’s “Barsoomian Adventures: the Tenth Ray of Mars” planetary romance miniseries. “Vortex” is scheduled to resume on Feb. 10 and 24. May the Force be with all of you — and live long and prosper! -Gene

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.22 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 20 January 2013. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures / Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

In one future, humanity has begun to colonize the Sol system, but environmental degradation, population pressures, and internecine conflict persist. The rediscovery of mystical abilities and open and official First Contact with galactic societies, themselves at war, threaten Terra’s very survival. Can heroes rise to the challenges?

“Vortex” Team 5c (3) Player Character rosters: Crew of the yacht Pina Colada:

• “Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F., primary ]-female Martian Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” tiger), former pit fighter and crewmember of the Appomattox, now captain of the Pina Colada searching for a homeworld for her people

• “Hector Chavez” [Beruk A., primary ]-male Terran human, former spy and crewmember on theAppomattox, cautious engineer and communications expert

• “Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C., primary ]-male Terran human, former assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co., sniper and seeker aboard the Blackbird and Pina Colada

• “Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C., primary ]-male Pomuyan (blue telepathic humanoid alien), irrepressible mystic and thrill-seeking galactic hitchhiker

• “Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (genetically modified) xenobiologist, curious and confident planetary patriot; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

• “Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird and Dauntless crews; defender of the homeworld

• “Chiron” [Dexter V.H., primary ]-male (secretly android) pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

Crew of the experimental scout ship Blackbird:

• “Lt. Sebastian Growlick” [Bruce K., secondary ]-male Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” lion), elite soldier and acting commander of the refitted Blackbird

• “Tela” [Sara F., secondary ]-female Tharian (gargoyle-like alien), escapee from the Encegulans (slug-like slavers), fond of humans; engineer with boyfriend Kedar

• “Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A., secondary ]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) wanderer with a past, investigator

• “Lord Wallace Tubbington III” [Josh C., secondary ]-male Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) swashbuckler and diplomat for the Kharvamid Alliance

• “Brun” [Geoff C., secondary ]-male Martian Ursoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” bear), former wrestler, pilot

• “Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup” [Byron V.O., secondary ]-male Terran human, gung-ho member of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps

• “Enkidu Aristheon” [Dexter V.H., secondary ]-male Seranen (pale empathic humanoid alien) exile, wilderness survival expert curious about Terrans and the Zarkonian threat; with sphinx-like companion Glaucon

See other records for the previous crews of the Blackbird, Appomattox, and Gryphon.

“1 to 3 July 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” While the yacht Pina Colada and scout ship Blackbird were refitted in the Asteroid Belt, some of their crew members made archaeological discoveries on Earth. “Terra’s Pride,” the new task force affiliated with the Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.), headed toward Epsilon Eridani after getting a lead on a hidden treasure from the Vatican Museums.

The Blackbird emerges from faster-than-light (FTL) Transit and finds a Rimrunner-class Terran freighter loading containers into its cargo bay. Lt. Sebastian Growlick sends a hail and designates Tariq Asrad Saladin, Enkidu Aristheon, and Lord Wallace Tubbington III as negotiatiors.

Engineers Tela and Kedar keep the experimental Olvar craft ready for pursuit, while Brun and Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup prepare for potential boarding actions. The Pina Colada is apparently delayed by an alien ship.

Capt. Olaf Kurgos of the Plutonium Hammer replies that he is registered with Intersystem Salvage to retrieve theVatican artifacts. He radios a manifest and authorization from a Lt. Cristensen of the Interplanetary Patrol.

Wary Tariq scans the salvage ship, and Wallace invites Capt. Kurgos over for tea and discussion. Diplomatic Enkidu retrieves a blue ale acquired in his travels, while laconic Brun brings the Blackbird around to dock with the Plutonium Hammer.

Capt. Kurgos is accompanied by his statuesque first officer, Nerine Lellikssen, and a friendly Vimeco robot, MuBot. Wallace escorts the newcomers to lounge, and Capt. Growlick asks Sgt. Jessup to hold off on any aggressive behavior.

Seeker Tariq discusses the legality of the salvage operation and believes that the United Ecumenical Movement is the rightful owner of the relics. The logs of the Pina Colada note how the cargo had been hidden in deep space rather than returned to Earth or delivered to the alien Nolath as originally planned.

Empath Enkidu senses that Capt. Kurgos and Nerine are sincere in not being interested in the items for themselves. Swashbuckler Wallace makes small talk.

Brun monitors drones on the Plutonium Hammer. Once their tasks are done, the robots line up at the cargo hold’s door. The Ursoid pilot and Tharian engineers Tela and Kedar set up subroutines in case they need to give chase.

Tela also gives Dr. Bucket, a U.S.N. droid assigned to the Blackbird, permission to talk with MuBot in the hopes of detecting any ulterior motives. Like Capt. Kurgos, MuBot claims to be part of a legitimate salvage operation rather than an interstellar smuggler.

Capt. Kurgos agrees to have the Blackbird escort the Plutonium Hammer back to Earth. Capt. Growlick considers exchanging crew members but decides against potential hostages, and Tariq monitors for signs of former members of “MarSoupAiL” (shell company Mars Soup Aid Lenders Ltd.).

Lord Wallace, whose father served aboard the Morifaiwet — the previous designation of the Blackbird — still expects trouble. Enkidu bids the visitors farewell, and Brun undocks. Tela and Dr. Bucket report that their scans of MuBot didn’t uncover any nefarious programming or equipment.

Meanwhile, the Pina Colada is forced to drop out of Transit by a large alien ship in its path. Capt. Jasmine orders the crew to battle stations and hails the unidentified vessel. Hector Chavez scans various weapons and translates incoming signals. Chris McKee is ready at the gunner’s station but holds his fire.

Orion Starchaser puts up psionic defenses for his crewmates, as Chiron maneuvers and Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese suits up in space armor. Dr. Srinu Pahul readies the medical bay and asks for biological samples if possible.

The extraterrestrials tell the Pina Colada not to interefere with their “hunt,” and Orion makes telepathic contact with the arachnid Nolath. At the same time, Chiron’s technopsi touches the hive mind of the cyborg Kutalrin, partners of the Nolath.

Brave Felinoid Jasmine parleys with the inscrutable aliens, while engineer Hector scans for vulnerabilities in the interfaces between Nolath and Kutalrin technology. Neither Orion nor Chiron senses any malicious intent, but they believe that the other aliens plan to take the cargo from the Plutonium Hammer by force if necessary.

Hacker Hector plants a command for the Nolath/Kutalrin to return to their point of origin. As the larger starship jumps into Transit, the Pina Colada turns back toward Earth to rendezvous with the Blackbird and Plutonium Hammer….

I thought we’re getting the hang of juggling Player Characters and multiple ships. Byron and Bruce, we missed you at this past weekend’s game. Beruk, I hope that you have a Happy Birthday! Bruce, I hope that the Winter Fantasy events have gone well, and we’ll miss you tonight and at tomorrow’s “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” face-to-face fantasy game (weather permitting).

The annual Death by Chocolate was as good as ever, and I hope to see most of you online tonight (Jan. 27). Note that our ” Vortex: Terra’s Pride” teleconference may not meet next Sunday because of Super Bowl 47. In the meantime, take it easy, -Gene

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.21 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 13 January 2013. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

In one future, humanity has begun to colonize the Sol system, but environmental degradation, population pressures, and internecine conflict persist. The rediscovery of mystical abilities and open and official First Contact with galactic societies, themselves at war, threaten Terra’s very survival. Can heroes rise to the challenges?

“Vortex” Team 5c (3) Player Character rosters: Crew of the yacht Pina Colada:

• “Capt. Jasmine” [Sara F., primary]-female Martian Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” tiger), former pit fighter and crewmember of the Appomattox, now captain of the Pina Colada searching for a homeworld for her people

• “Hector Chavez” [Beruk A., primary]-male Terran human, former spy and crewmember on theAppomattox, cautious engineer and communications expert

• “Chris McKee /Agent Prometheus” [Josh C., primary]-male Terran human, former assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co., sniper and seeker aboard the Blackbird and Pina Colada

• “Orion Starchaser” [Geoff C., primary]-male Pomuyan (blue telepathic humanoid alien), irrepressible mystic and thrill-seeking galactic hitchhiker

• “Dr. Srinu Pahul” [Byron V.O., primary ]-male Terran “near-human” (genetically modified) xenobiologist, curious and confident planetary patriot; with robots MEGAN and PEPE

• “Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K., primary]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird and Dauntless crews; defender of the homeworld

• “Chiron” [Dexter V.H., primary]-male (secretly android) pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity

Crew of the experimental scout ship Blackbird:

• “Lt. Sebastian Growlick” [Bruce K., secondary]-male Felinoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” lion), elite soldier and acting commander of the refitted Blackbird

• “Tela” [Sara F., secondary]-female Tharian (gargoyle-like alien), escapee from the Encegulans (slug-like slavers), fond of humans; engineer with boyfriend Kedar

• “Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A., secondary]-male Terran “near-human” (mutant) wanderer with a past, investigator

• “Lord Wallace Tubbington” [Josh C., secondary]-male Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) swashbuckler and diplomat for the Kharvamid Alliance

• “Brun” [Geoff C., secondary]-male Martian Ursoid “Synth” (“Uplifted” bear), former wrestler, pilot

• “Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup” [Byron V.O., secondary]-male Terran human, gung-ho member of the North American Aerospace Marine Corps

• “Enkidu Aristheon” [Dexter V.H., secondary]-male Seranen (pale empathic humanoid alien) exile, wilderness survival expert curious about Terrans and the Zarkonian threat; with sphinx-like companion Glaucon

See other records for the previous crews of the Blackbird, Appomattox, and Gryphon.

“7 to 30 June 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” After delivering cargo and data to Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.) officers near Saturn’s moon Titan, the Pina Colada and Blackbird return to the Asteroid Belt for refits and crew reassignments. The Dauntless task force accompanies the yacht and scout ship and reports to the Ilokar battle group near Ceres Station.

Aboard the Pina Colada, Capt. Jasmine studies up on the responsibilities of her new rank as a privateer. Hector Chavez oversees work on the yacht and inquires about sharing research on zero-point devices. The engineer and former spy also trades in technologies for combination weapons and defenses against certain aliens.

Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese talks with Col. Shan Gray, his Interplanetary Patrol superior, as well as Adm. Jacques Pons aboard the Ilokar. Chris McKee considers an offer to re-enlist in the U.S.N. space navy. “Agent Prometheus” also wishes former colleague Timothy Dugan good luck in creating a new life after being an assassin for the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.

Dr. Srinu Pahul checks on his family, which is booking interstellar passage, and on the reactions of Dr. Martha Liao and other members of Terra’s science academies to his reports on the Zurmiz Krott, the dangerous biomechanical probes of the approaching Zarkonian Armada.

Orion Starchaser is relieved that his painfully logical mentor, Vovestomosanehe, has left. The Pomuyan mystic hitchhikes to Earth, where he finds that regional tensions and armed conflict have escalated. When Srinu and Chiron learn that Orion was pursuing an archaeological question, they hasten to join him.

Jasmine hangs out with Lieut. Sebastian Growlick, the acting commander of the refitted Blackbird. They agree on the name “Terra’s Pride” for their small fleet because of the following feline crew members:

• Jasmine, tiger-woman
• Sebastian, leonine “Synth”
• Lord Wallace Tubbington III, an Olvar
• Glaucon, Enkidu Aristheon’s sphinx-like companion

The captains agree that Glaucon would make a good mascot and to use a sphinx for the new team’s logo. They don’t agree, however, on the Synth Liberation Front, which Jasmine is sympathetic to but Sebastian considers a terrorist group.

Capt. Growlick also closely supervises work on the scout ship Blackbird with engineers Tela and Kedar. The Tharians visit Hector on the Pina Colada to compare notes. Tariq Asrad Saladin plays his Chrysalis guitar, while Wallace meets with fellow Olvar advisors to the U.S.N.

Brun and Sgt. Nathan A. Jessup turn out to be fans of Jasmine’s former career as a professional wrestler on Mars. Ursoid (“Uplifted” bear) Brun suggests going to a firing range, and Kevin and Nathan don civvies and eagerly and join him for target practice.

Enkidu follows Tela’s suggestion and goes to a nature preserve on Earth to allow Glaucon to stretch his wings and hunt. Meanwhile, on the Pina Colada, Hector recommends coordinating ship security, and Chris researches Zarkonian incursions using the Blackbird’s database.

Restless Orion, curious Srinu, and methodical Chiron go to Cheyenne territory in North America. Much of humanity is crowded into megalopli and arcologies, leaving farmland and wasteland relatively empty. They meet guide Mantotohpa (“Four Bears”) who relates legends of his ancestors meeting “sky people.”

Flamboyant Wallace and burly Brun play craps at Ceres Station, while military veterans Chris, Nathan, and Kevin go to a bar to trade war stories, followed by massages. Hector’s onetime handler Max(ine) tells him that she has learned that his former colleagues in “MarSoupAiL” — shell company Mars Soup Aid Lenders Ltd. — have acquired a faster-than-light (FTL) ship.

Friendly Orion tries to verify why the Cheyenne language closely resembles that of his species, the Pomuyans. Dr. Pahul gets confirmation of numerous contacts between extraterrestrials and humans before open and official First Contact just a year ago. Chiron records Mantotohpa’s tales, as well as images of nearby standing stones.

After Orion participates in ceremonial dances and a lacrosse game at the local high school, Mantotohpa takes the visitors in a hovertruck to the stone formation. The tribe’s elders explain how their people once dealt with the sky people as equals.

Dr. Pahul asks the elders for genetic samples because he believes that aliens enhanced the Terran metagene. More diplomatically, Orion and Chiron translate an ancient tablet as a treaty for a forgotten cultural exchange.

Orion notes that humans aren’t the only ones whose history must be rewritten; the Pomuyans had rejected emotion and contact with “lesser species” some time ago. He finds that some of the rocks act as a telepathic amplifier, enabling two-way signals. Orion then contacts Vovestomosanehe.

Out in the Asteroid Belt, Hector tells Capt. Jasmine and Capt. Growlick about the artifacts from the Vatican Museumsthat the grifters on the Appomattox had hidden in interstellar space rather than deliver to the arachnid Nolath asoriginally planned. Not only are the relics priceless to Terran culture, but they might also be useful in dealing with the Zarkonian menace.

The furred captains recall their crews to their ships. On the Pina Colada, Chiron takes the helm, with Capt. Jasmine and Lt.Cmdr. Reese also on the bridge. Chris goes to the gunner’s turret, and Dr. Pahul readies the medical bay. Orion reluctantly returns but is excited to race to the Vatican treasures. Hector monitors communications and the ship’s Transit FTL drive.

On the Blackbird, Brun is pilot, joined by Lt. Growlick and Enkidu on the bridge. Tela, Kedar, and robot Dr. Bucket deal with the biomechanical Olvar vessel’s engines. Sgt. Jessup takes the weapons station, in contrast to Tariq and Wallace’s hope for a diplomatic solution.

The “Terra’s Pride” task force sets out for Epsilon Eridani. The Starwind-class yacht is able to keep up with theDaemon-class scout ship, thanks to its recent overhaul. Brun is disoriented by the first jump into FTL Transit because of his symbiotic link with the Blackbird, which takes the lead.

Long-range scans detect two other ships in Transit space, but Capt. Growlick hopes to stake a claim on the Vatican relics. Tela squeezes more speed out of the engines, and Tariq verifies that possession is indeed nine-tenths of the law in deep space.

Lord Tubbington puts on a ceremonial robe and sword, while Nathan readies various guns. Enkidu secures Glaucon, and Sebastian designates him, Wallace, and Tariq as the initial negotiating team.

Over on the Pina Colada, Jasmine approves Kevin’s request to ready armored space suits for himself and Chris. Chiron reviews tactical maneuvers, as Orion raises a telepathic shield.

Hector prepares electronic countermeasures. Srinu reviews containment units and finds that the marines have consumed some of his stash of alcohol and cigars.

The Blackbird emerges from Transit about halfway between the Sol system and Epsilon Eridani. A Rimrunner-classTerran ship is already loading containers into its cargo bay!

The Pina Colada detects that a larger alien vessel will likely get to the site ahead of it, as Capt. Growlick and his crew hail the smuggler craft….

I hope that all of you enjoyed the “Vortex” session, as we shake down the crews of “Terra’s Pride!” Remember to let me know if you have any revisions to your Player Characters and ships, and good luck as you prepare to face off against the two other starships….

I hope to be home to begin our next session at our regular time, 7:00 p.m. Eastern. In the meantime, I also look forward to the next “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” face-to-face fantasy game and Jason E.R.’s “Barsoomian Adventures: the Tenth Ray of Mars” miniseries! -Gene