Dark Side of Loridian

You wait for what seems like several dozen minutes before Sepra gets a message on her computer.

"Good news, it would seem that my request for an advance on your pay has been approved. I'm transferring the advance to your credstick now. Feel free to verify to make sure."

You hear a bleep from your credsticks signalling a transfer of funds. Then, Sepra turns to Mesec.

"Well, it would seem that you are on the job now Mr. Devro..." She says this glaring at your alcohol flask...

"The quartermaster is also putting together your survival supplies. It should be complete in about an hour."

"There are several stores all within a 30 minutes walk or less from the Nebula Vista Corporation headquarters. You should be able to find whatever you need there, though you might have to visit more than one seller to do so. I can upload directions to your wristcoms, portacomps, or digital assistants should you desire. However, I am a bit confused. I thought the idea of the NVC supplying you with basic survival gear plus having an advance on your pay was so that you could complete your gear to your satisfaction. Should you not wait to see what we provide you with before heading out to the various stores?"

You wait for about an hour or so, doing small talk, when you get the message that your basic survival gear has been gathered and is awaiting for you in your lent hovercar.

You make your way to the quartermaster's office and check out what has been provided for you. You make inventory and can count the following:
- A number of envirosuits equal to the number of players.
- A number of standard equipment packs (see p.21) equal to the number of players.
- 2 semiauto pistols, 2 auto pistols, and 1 autorifle, each loaded and with 2 spare mags (bound to change once Sam shows up).
- 2 vibroknives, and 1 vibroaxe each with an EU pack (bound to change once Sam shows up).
- 3 fragmentation grenades.
- 2 explorer's kits and 1 medkit.
- 2 grapple ziplines.
- 1 infrared goggle and 1 magnigoggle (bound to change once Sam shows up).
- An additional waterpack equal to the number of players, and 1 water purification pack.
- 1 eco scanner.

Each of these items (including the hovercar) bear the colors of the Nebula Vista Corp (blue and gold) as well as its logo.

So Mesec leaves to go buy himself some extra gear. What are the rest of you doing?

Okay, so looks like you're all going shopping. You have several hours left to do your shopping before you need to go sleep and prepare for tomorrow. You can simply give me a quick overview of what you purchase.

Some possible suggestions (to answer @Esidrix, see pp.47-48, 50, and 53-91):
- More ammo for your own weapons or those provided by the NVC.
- Extra EUs for the scanner and vibro weapons provided (or any other you might purchase).
- New weapons (most pistols, a few rifles, all archaic and melee weapons, and most grenades & explosive are still affordable depending on who buys them or if you pool resources...).
- Better means of communication than your basic wristcoms should you plan on splitting up to cover more ground.
- More medkits if you're expecting a lot of trouble on your trek.
- Pretty much any type of exploration gear, most of it will be affordable...

It's been nearly a week since my last post. Have you made any decision as to what else you're purchasing? Do you guys need any help with something?

I sure hope so, because by my calulations, this all adds up to 586©.

Once you're done shopping, you make your way back to the Nebula Vista Corp, split the lent equipment between you, and then head toward the crash site. Since the ride is 11 hours, you take turns driving while the rest of the group sleeps in the car. Eventually, you reach a point where the hover can can't progress any further (the star on the map). You get off, take your gear, consult your map, and formulate an itinerary to examine any of the areas of interest picked up by the search drones (the ruin-looking symbols).



Note that you can travel for up to 10 hours of Loridian's 22 hours "day". The entire region is cold and dark, though the enviro suits will protect you for the cold.