Chapter 2A: Ironsides
Gabriel "Gabe" Reyes
After a bit of time, he does add, "Do you think there are any other systems we should be checking for sabotage?"
Assuming not, during the couple of days, Hank will try a couple different things with the computer logs to confirm nothing can be found. (I assume it can't work, so no rolls are required.) He also spends some time on some other Elder research to keep his mind on other things.
As a distraction she offers to teach Gabe and Hank 'Primer' a card game from her home world, gambling for low stakes (Deception & Wits checks maybe?)
Receive +2 XP, Hank, for the failure with the computer plus the downtime rolls
Meanwhile, Jil, restless and eager for answers, sought solace in card games with the crew. In the downtime between games, she directed her energy toward expanding her investigation skills. Utilizing the shuttle's communication and computer systems, she delved into tutorials and guides, learning about advanced techniques in tracing and uncovering hidden trails.
"Alright, let's keep at it. We can't let someone sabotage our journey without consequences. We'll figure this out, one way or another."
End of chapter
End of chapter checklist
- Did we earn a profit, either through trading, scavenging, looting or jobs? Yes. Hank's platinum. +3 XP.
- Did we discover something new and interesting about the universe? Yes. Draco I peculiarities and the Ironsides (they will be back). +3 XP
- Did we overcome a difficult challenge or dangerous adversary? Yes. The saboteur. +3 XP
Rolls
Hank Heron: Deception DC15, Card game - (1d20+1)
(19) + 1 = 20
Hank Heron: Computer DC20, studying log tampering techniques - (1d20+5)
(20) + 5 = 25
Hank Heron: Academics (Elder) DC15, studies - (1d20+3)
(2) + 3 = 5
Jilandra 'Jil' Broadenspec: Deception DC15, card game - (1d20+2)
(4) + 2 = 6
Jilandra 'Jil' Broadenspec: Deception DC15, card game - (1d20+2)
(14) + 2 = 16
Jilandra 'Jil' Broadenspec: WITS - Untrained check, Investigation DC15 - (1d20+-1)
(4) - 1 = 3
For the skill I want Notice-0. Might as well kill the unskilled penalty. I'll bank the rest, as raising any of the others costs too much at the moment.
Do note that Hank paid for the Platinum from his funds, not ship funds. So, his funds need to be adjusted.
And I never thought for a second we wouldn't see Ironsides again. Honestly, I was concerned they would intercept us on our trip back to the Celestial Voyager or even waylay us before we could leave Draco I. But I know they are showing up again at some point!
1) He now feels kinda guilty for the platinum purchase, since it is pretty much guaranteed to have been dug out by slave labor in the "platinum mines". That's why it was a good deal: they can sell it under list price because it is so inexpensive to mine. They still make huge profits on it. (This is that ineffectual pathetic guilt that makes you feel a little bad, but doesn't change your behavior in any way.)
2) One silver lining to having the logs deleted is that it leaves a "hole" in the overall logs. This should give us a decent guide as to the time period to investigate when we can look at the Celestial Voyager's logs.
"Maybe none of us were the target. Whoever did it might have wanted our mission to fail...we were just collateral. Its grim but I've met enough people who don't think twice about murder if they get what they want."
She gives Hank a genuine smile.
Gabriel "Gabe" Reyes
"Gabe, this is Douklan Paravides. We found some Separatist mercenaries here on Nocturna who had replaced the regular personnel. They were using the dish here to relay communications between forces on Draco I's northern hemisphere and some vessel in Draco's asteroid belt. Here's the vector they were transmitting on. I'm taking the shuttle to help search the Belt, but you can see that you and Celestial Voyager's shuttle are closer to that part of the Belt than I am. Whether or not that ship has the missing station personnel, we suspect that it's up to no good, and we'd appreciate the help if you, Hank, and Jil are available to give it."
"Understood, Lieutenant. We will redirect to the belt. We will coast towards it, though, as we don't wanna arrive alone, in a small shuttle, in a potentially hostile situation. We will time it to arrive there as the Sentinel does. We should begin scanning earlier though. We will do that as soon as possible."
He says to Gabe, "This is a pretty dangerous assignment. I hope we can keep a low enough profile. I wonder how much more dangerous this would be if we had that 'almost but not quite smuggling' cargo?"
"Also, if this is in any way related, there is one thing a lone ship can do from an asteroid field: throw rocks. Our little shuttle would have been catastrophic if we had hit. Imagine what a bigger rock could do. Also, we can be shot down, but asteroids and comets are usually loosely compacted, so you can't easily just shoot it down. Give it speed, and reaction time could be limited. Get a few going at once, and it can be even more difficult."