Olympus RPG Blog

15 Apr 2173 (1622-D Apishat)

My first task once we arrive in Apishal was to determine what to do with all the life-support equipment used on the return trip for the survivors.  The Captain had me analyze it for useable parts.  I was able to salvage 70% of it for our own use.  The rest we scraped.

Almost forgot, payday (the 10^th) was during the transit.  Don’t mean much when you have nothing to spend the money on.

One of the things I realized on the Altair station was how much I need to learn Vilani.  Once we had leave in system I went shopping for a Vilani teaching program/device for Terrans.  Boy, did I pick the wrong system to try that in.  The spaceport was barren of anything helpful, and that was putting it nicely.  I was able to pickup a Terran to Vilani dictionary.  I am currently driving my staff nuts putting Post-It notes all over my Engine Room in order to teach myself Vilani.

While on the planet, the Captain took Daniel to meet with one of the survivors from Altair.  He was the lead scientist from the station.  Funny thing these Vilani, they did not look like they were too upset when we turned over the bodies from the station.  Frigid lot they are.  They also apparently did not want the cargo we were sent to deliver to Altair back either.  It was mostly basic supplies and foodstuffs.  Turns out the survivor will be with us a little longer.  He wants a ride to Zaggisi (1523-B).

18 Apr 2173 — 25 Apr 2173: Transit from 1622-D Apishat to 1523-B Zaggisi

Spent most of the transit covering Engineering in Post-It notes… damn it’s fun bugging my staff.  Besides, it is good for them to learn the tongue of where we will be spending the next year or so.

Zaggisi was everything Apishal was not.  It was a huge industrialized planet and friendly (for Vilani) to boot.  While in port we met the crew of a 200 ton Hero-class Free Trader called the Reaver.  She was a Terran vessel and was headed back home to Nusku.  They agreed to carry letters and small packages back to Nusku, and into the Terran mail system, when they head back.  It took a couple of days, but the crew put together their stuff and the Reaver left for Nusku two days later.

On the Vilani learning front, I was able to get a program while here.  It will work a lot better than the Post-Its, but not as fun.  I will still use the Post-Its for a while.

Remi and I got to spend some “dude” time while on Zaggisi.  We actually went fishing one afternoon.  I caught 7 decent size fish, but Remi caught a near-record size fish.  Remi actually took a class later that day on how to prepare it according to local cuisine.  I gave a couple of my larger fish to the crew of the Reaver as a “thank you” for taking our mail.

I worked on Jenny II for a few hours while here.  I even took her for a spin around the spaceport.  She rides real well.  However, she does have a weird little “tick” at 1200 rpm that I have to find.  I do not think it’s serious, but it bugs me that it’s there.

Time to go back to work.  It looks like we have a new client.  He wants to transport his children, ahead of himself, and cargo (a full hold!) to 1222-A Dingir.  Apperently he is in bad with some local hoods because the crew is all cloak-and-dagger getting the kids aboard.  The client did not want to handle the transfer to the starport for fear of a leak and attack on the kids.  We did see some shady characters during the transfer, but they could not follow us into the starport.  Just to be sure, I checked the cargo for any potential problem prior to takeoff.

28 Apr 2173 — 05 May 2173: Transit from 1523-B Zaggisi to 1324-C Shulgi

The transit was uneventful but I cannot say the same for the arrival.  As soon as we arrived in system, we detected a 100 ton scout class ship near the arrival point.  While this is not abnormal, his rapid acceleration to our arrival point was.  It became crystal clear what his intentions were as soon as his radio message arrived.  His demands were simple, “Hand over the children”.  Well, that was not going to happen.

The Captain decided to play along with their demands while we formulated a plan.  This I can tell you, they picked on the wrong people that day.  Being that I had a background in blockade running, I had extensive training and experience in counter-boarding operations. We set about formulating a plan based on lulling them into thinking we are an easy target, which isn’t hard considering we are unarmed and they have at least one turret.

They approached us from above and docked with our upper hatch to their lower hatch.  This prevented them from threatening us with their turret while they were docked.  It also let us see them form our portholes while they could not see us, amateurs.  As soon as they docked, Mr. Remi (who was hiding in the Air Raft bay) went EVA and approached their ship from the rear.  While we delayed the boarding party he approached their turret and placed a C4 charge (which I had built during the approach) under the central barrel hinge.  He then made his way back to the rear of the ship.

While he was doing this, the crew setup an ambush near the airlock exits.  We split the crew into two ambush points, one hear Sickbay and the other near the Engineering Workshop.  We also sealed the door at the end of the stores area so they could not get to Engineering from the airlock area.  Mr. Remi positioned himself near the Port engine and fired a grenade launcher into the main combustion chamber housing.  The grenades wound not damage the ship, but they would cause enough damage to the injector pups and fuel sensors thereby guaranteeing that the engine would need to go to a shipyard in order to get fixed.  Mr. Remi was knocked off his footing when he fired, but he had a lanyard and was ok.  At the same time he fired on the engine, I set off the turret charge remotely.  This made sure that they could not use the turret against us.

With the enemy ship disabled, the boarding party started the attack with smoke grenades.  I called engineering and had them do a rapid decompression to have the air evacuated.  We had already made sure the passengers were in rescue balls before the enemy came on board.  When they cam up through he airlock, we opened fire.  They did not stand a chance.  They never got a chance to make an effective and coordinated attack.  We took out 3 of them and captured one.  On the way back to the Air Raft bay Mr. Remi fired a grenade into the enemy transfer tube and into the chest of an enemy boarder.  Needless to say the tube was put out of action and the last thing Mr. Remi saw was the enemy ship leaking atmosphere as he came aboard our ship.  We did not suffer any injuries and were able to dislodge the enemy ship using a high-g roll that tore off the docking clamps.  I will have to fix that once we get to Dingir.  We secured the prisoner in the sickbay till we could decide what to do with him.

We did a gas giant refuel and got the hell out of there ASAP.

06 May 2173 — 12 May 2173: Transit from 1324-C Shulgi to 1222-A Dingir

Payday on transit again… WOOT!!

I spent some time in transit working on ways to help defend the internals of the ship in case we ever get boarded again.  I will make a proposal to the captain as soon as I have the cost estimates done.  I want to make some Passenger Isolation Doors and add some Low Births for injured crew and prisoners.

15-Apr-2173 (16:32:40)
Ships Status: All systems normal
Navigational Status: DINGIR SUBSECTOR (1622), APISHAL

26 Mar 2173 (1622-D Apishat)

It has been a busy week since I last logged in.  We have been scurrying over the ship getting ready for the jump to Altair and let’s just say I already see many improvements that I can make to the ship.  I wish I had two months to work on her in a proper shipyard as I see many areas that can be improved.

I was able to shoot off a quick email to Megs.  I hope it gets to her soon.

27 Mar 2173: Transit from 1622-D Apishat to 1522-E Altair

We have arrived in Altair without any incident.  I did get to spend the week tuning the engines a bit.  My Assistant Engineer’s name is Susan and from what I have seen so far she may work out ok.

Our mission in this systems is to drop off supplies at a research station that is orbiting a moon orbiting a gas giant.

04 Apr 2173: Arrived at Station

We arrived at the station today, but have been unable to make contact.  We are getting ready to board her and assess the problem.  Initial scans show micrometeorite damage to the hull and elevated radiation levels most likely related to a leak in the core.  It’s orbit is also in decay, but it has a few weeks left before it is in any danger of reentry.  There are 3 lifeboats missing and presumed to have been used before it was too late.

05 Apr 2173: Repairing the Station

We spent most of yesterday repairing the core of the station.  As we thought, micrometeorites caused widespread damage to the station.  The damage was swift and unexpected as many computers were still logged in.  We discovered 5 dead on board including one in Engineering.  All bodies were recovered for later return to whomever is in charge of the station.

06 Apr 2173: Finishing Repairs to the Station

With Susan’s help I was able to finish repairs and stabilize the station’s orbit.  The station has been put into a stable orbit and been placed in an automated station-keeping mode until such time as here owners want to return.  After the station was repaired we used the station’s sensors to locate the life-pods.  All three had landed in relatively the same area on the moon below.  The moon has an atmosphere, but it is hostile in nature and requires supplemental air to survive for any length of time.

07 Apr 2173: Rescue Mission

We were able to find all the survivors on the moon except one who had perished during the landing of his pod.  At the first pod site we ran into these huge beasts that were a cross between potato bugs and elephants!  There were four of them and I almost killed myself trying to get back into the air raft.  Four times I slipped and banged against the hull while trying to get back in.  Finally one of the crew was able to give me a hand and pull me in.  Thank God I had my biosuit because I was covered, head to toe, in muck from constantly falling down.

After getting in I quickly grabbed my rifle and helped to dispatch the charging creatures.  The rifle’s low recoil is normally fine, till you’re covered in muck and sliding around the raft.  Every time I fired, I moved back a bit.

After the creatures were stopped we were able to track, thanks to Mr Matthews’ bio-sniffer, the rest of the survivors who had gathered in a cave.  On the way there we found the above mentioned crash victim.  After getting everyone aboard the Emerald Monarch, we set up a quarantine area as several of the survivors were showing signs of infection.  It will take us a few days but we are going to take the life support equipment from the station’s shuttle and create a self-contained environment in the cargo bay for all the survivors and members of our crew who were exposed to the infection, in order to isolate them and negate a strain on the ship’s life support systems.  I had our crew transfer bunk-beds from the station for the survivors to sleep in for the trip.  There were a total of 10 survivors and 6 bodies recovered.  Before leaving the system we look them back into the station in order to retrieve any items they wanted to bring back.

08 Apr 2173:  Transit from 1522-E Altair to 1622-D Apishat

The trip back was uneventful.  The doctor released the quarantine as he deemed the virus as non-threatening.  I had some time to look at Jenny II (still in the crate) while in the cargo hold talking to the survivors.  Maybe next week I will have some time to work on her.

We arrived in Apishat on 15 Apr 2173.

4-Apr-2173 (13:23:00)
Ships Status: All systems normal
Navigational Status: DINGIR SUBSECTOR (1522), ALTAIR

28-March-2173

I’ve spent most of the first couple weeks of travel running diagnostics on the upgraded systems to evaluate their operating functionality.  Everything checked out in the shipyard, but shipyard and space are two different operating conditions.  So far, the results look very good.  The captain has informed me that along with our primary goals, we are also tasked, albeit passively, to collect as much intelligence we can upon the Vilani.  Considering the buildup going on at Nusku, it seems clear the Confederation thinks the next Interstellar War is imminent.  I can’t say that I’m surprised but I do hope it holds off until we’re back home.  A war could provide us with some very lucrative opportunities but it’s surely to put us in far more danger. 

The crew seems to be settling in well, I’ve been most impressed with the security department.  They have shown a very wide range of skills and a can do attitude.  If we can continue this high level of operation and further develop the skills of the crew, this ship could very well be one of the best around.  Only time will tell here.  I look foward to doing my part.

…end log

27-March-2173

My first impressions of my new shipmates have largely been positive.   The Captain seems to be an actual human being, instead of a military meathead, and I’m more motivated to serve well under him than any of my commanders during my military service.  The Ship’s First Officer, is friendly and professional but he’s a been a corporate man his entire life, can we count on him if the shit hits the fan?  Too soon to tell, so far I appreciate the way he handles himself and he hasn’t pulled rank on any of us little folk yet, so I remain optimistic.

The highlight has definitely been the Chief Medical Officer, Anya, a very friendly middle aged woman who is teaching me a great deal about medicine and surgery.  I very much enjoy her company and have been spending as much time as I can with her, learning all that she can teach me.

I’m hesitant to approach and try and befriend any of the Terrans on the ship but so far no one has given me any shit.  Hopefully my assumptions about them will prove to be incorrect, but my experience on my tour of duty leaves me hesitant to befriend many Terrans…

It’s a job though, one more year and I can perhaps attend a medical school somewhere.  I hope that we have an uneventful, and profitable tour.

19-Mar-2173 (19:00:00)
Ships Status: All systems normal
Navigational Status: SOL SUBSECTOR (1822), NUSKU

15-March-2173 (10:42:13)

In dock at Nusku Spaceport.  Captain Brierfield has assigned me and Mr. Matthews to a mission.  We have orders to board a Florin class shuttle and make a cargo pickup from Ceti-V.  It’s a mining rock, about 70 hours from Nusku.  I’ve been there before with MacKenzie back in the day (his family is from there).  I don’t expect this trip to be nearly as fun (or exciting), but it might be nice if I get a chance to drop in on his folks and some of the gang from the old days.

Duty Report:  Loaded and logged the last supply load assigned to me.  Security gear stowed and stashed on board the Monarch.  Comm, comps and spacer gear packed for mission.

(11:51:17)

Supplemental:  Mr. Matthews has asked me to pilot the shuttle!  I get to FLY again!

Duty report:  Flight plan calculated, plotted and filed.  Pre-flight check completed.  Liftoff set for 15-March-2173 (12:02:00)

. . . end log

16-March-2173 (16:21:33)

About 28 hours into the trip.  And I’m getting to FLY!  God, I’ve missed this.

The Florin is a nice little shuttle.  Got some speed to her, and even packs a tiny punch.  Been getting to know Mr. Matthews a bit.  He’s one hell of a navigator.  He shaved hours of what I thought was a damn good plot.  Seems like an okay guy, too.  He’s not military, though.  I wonder how he’ll react if things go south?

Duty report:  Flight proceeding uneventful and according to plot.  Running fire control simulations to familiarize myself with the systems.

. . . end log

17-March-2173 (18:11:21)

Well, the “uneventful” part is over.  We landed at Ceti-V, but were slotted for just a quick grab & go.  Mr. Matthews helped with the loading equipment and showed me how it worked a bit (Mac would have laughed his ass off at me trying to drive that loader).  While we were loading, though, a screamer came in way off approach.  I don’t know what got into this guy but he was nuts.  At first I thought he’d just lost control, but when Mr. Matthews had me hop in the shuttle and track it, I plotted his approach and saw the he trying a crazy-fast atmospheric braking orbit.  After a few circles he hit the surface.  Mr. Matthews had me relay all my telemetry to Ceti Control and offer our assistance.  We finished our load (to clear the dock; it’s a one-pad port there) and set out with a few volunteers from the dock to attempt a recon/rescue/recover.  When we got there, the crash had left a gouge about 3 km long and skipped back off the surface.  We tracked the “landing” path and found the craft settled about 10 km farther down.  There was no sign of survivors among the debris, and the ship was pretty banged up.  But the contragrav was clearly still operational because the ship was floating about 15 meters off the ground.  We approached as closely as possible but encountered some serious interference with our gravity thrusters (turned out they had externalized their artificial gravity field to cushion the crash; pretty quick thinking for a nutcase).  We examined for a bit, and then Mr. Matthews had the idea to take out their power supply to disable the gravity and let it crash so we could get on board.  He pulled up a schematic for me to pinpoint their power plant, and I popped it with one shot from the little laser the shuttle had.  Worked like a charm.  The ship dropped like a rock and we set down next to it.  We went aboard and found the five crew unconscious but alive.  We kept them that way while relaying condition reports to the base physician who was en route on the air raft.  He got there and did some real patching up, then requested we use our shuttle to medivac everyone back to the port.  We did that no problem, and they took them all to sick bay for treatment.  We couldn’t wait around for an update, so once everyone said a quick thank you, we lifted off and headed back to Nusku.
It wasn’t the craziest trip I’ve had to Ceti-V, but it was pretty close.  And I don’t have to wonder how Mr. Matthews responds under pressure, at least.

And, of course, I’m getting to FLY!

Duty report:  Cargo pick up completed.  Observed unidentified inbound to Ceti-V badly off-approach and in communications blackout.  Tracked and plotted.  Mr. Matthews offered to assist Control in recon/rescue/recovery operation.  Found vessel badly damaged (possibly Pickett class).  Disabled power plant to shut down inverted artificial gravity field to facilitate boarding.  Made rescue of five (5) crew.  Medivac’d under supervision of Ceti-V station physician.  Offloaded at port and launched for return to Nusku.

. . . end log

20-March-2173 (12:06:21)

Made it back to Nusku and the Emerald Monarch today.  Got a nice congratulations from the Captain.  Mr. Matthews recco’d me, so that’s a nice start with a new ship.  I think I’m gonna like him.  Also found out that we have a Gunnery Officer on board now, so I made my report to him.  Seemed competent and professional, but kind of flat.  Doesn’t seem to have a lot of life to him, but he’s my superior officer and I have to report to him (and probably even more so, once we get some weapons).  Still haven’t met the Chief of Security.

Man, it was great to be flying again!

Duty report:  Florin shuttle returned, cargo offloaded.  Reported to the Captain and resumed shipboard duties.  Made report to Chief Gunnery Officer.  Routine maintenance and diagnostics completed.

. . . end log

15 March 2173

I just got some good news yesterday.  I have had several leads on Engineering positions and one of them is paying off.  The Emerald Monarch has a Chief Engineer position open and I have been asked to join her crew.  Since this is my first time as a Chief, I am really looking forward to the challenges.

The news is bittersweet however.  I will have to leave Megs for a least a year.  This will be hard for me as this is my first real relationship since Sarah.  It took so long to heal after her death that I hope the separation from Megs won’t be permanent.

On a brighter note, I get to bring Jenny II.  She still needs some work, like new carb jets, but I’ll have the time that I need and she will be a good distraction from the fact that Megs is not there.

Well, the shuttle just landed and it is the last one to the spaceport for the day.

15-MAR-2173 (11:16:25)

The company has asked me to volunteer my First Officer and a pilot to take a shuttle to Ceti V. The shuttles original crew had both come down with the same illness. I’m told that it will be a four to five day mission…I hope so because I really need them for our own departure preparations.

Our own preparations are going well. I’m pleased with the crew that have arrived so far, and to my surprise they actually live up to the fluff in their personnel files.

I have also received some new orders. Before we depart Nusku we are to collect some surplus communications and computer equipment from the Navy Shipyards. We will be taking these with us as “commercial incentives” for the Vilani.

… end log.