Chapter 4A: Traitors in our midst

Trade Era 1235, Day 136

Passenger shuttle, Draco system
With a little bit over a day left to arrive at the Celestial Voyager, Hank, Corbin and Slaine plan their next steps.

Hank says, "What I was think of as an approach is to do this: We contact the Voyager to let them know we are heading back, even though the Sentinel is still searching. We tell them we made a great find while picking up the parts and we want to show it off when we get back. Hopefully, that will draw them all down to meet us we arrive back at the Voyager.

"When we make the communication, we make sure Agent Rowan, and any of their stuff, is hidden from view. No hints or suggestions that someone else is with us. We probably need to note that Douklan isn't coming back either, until after the Sentinel handles its business. Gabe and I have to head out unarmed (obviously) with the cargo to draw everyone in. At that point, everyone else can come out armed to prevent the target from leaving.

"Anyway, that's my base idea: Lie and say we have something nicer than we do to pull everyone down, use Gabe and I as a distraction to pull them in, then have everyone else make a perimeter. Hopefully that's at least the start of an idea that everyone else can make better."

---

"I do have one worry about that.
The Alfredo I assume is a clone, violemtly incinerated himself with just a few touches on his datapad. Something like that could be dangerous in a crowd, no less just on a ship.
My first goal is to avoid that.

Hank smiles at Slaine's comment and replies, "I'm just trying to figure out how to get him into the open and draw him out. I was kinda relying on you to figure out how to take him down safely. That's why I want you to be an unknown."

"I think, what if we just had something to show ... Ryan Carter.. maybe Ryan and your Captain, if we think she could have them not bring their datapad, or at least warn us if he was bring his datapad."

"We could always say someone has been injured. This guy is our Medic after all."

Hank rolls his eyes, drops his head, and says, "I am an idiot. That's genius. And the best part is that we can just 'get injured' when trying to move the cargo out. Cool! I like it!

"Who's gonna get injured?

"Also, I still think we need to keep Agent Rowan hidden from the Voyager until we try to get the drop on Ryan."

"Yeah, I'll stay hidden, that's best.
Hey, I had to learn not to overcomplicate things. The best ops are as simple as they can be. "

"Also, I need to make clear, my first priority is the safety of any confirmed non-synths. If there seems to be a threat that can not be restrained I will try to eliminate it. Answers can come later. "

With Gabe's permission, Hank radios back to the Voyager. He makes sure Slaine, and all of his stuff, is totally out of view from the cockpit, or can be seen through the open door. "The Sentinel made it to the asteroids and released our shuttle from scanning. We picked up Corbin, but Douklan had to stay behind. We should be back in a couple days." He will then answer any questions they may have.Back to the conversation with Slaine. "Well, do you want to be the bait and surprise from that position, or do you want one of us to be the bait and then surprise from a different angle? I do recommend that everyone but the bait and whomever lures him in be armed. I have seen Ryan spar with Erin for practice and he held his own. He could cause a lot of damage even without exploding."

No.... I don't think it would make sense for me to be bait. That would be more alarming, but that means I get to stay armed. Though I would say our bait should stay armed. I don't want any hostages...

"OK. I figure we lay you down behind the cargo crate like you're injured, but with just your legs showing and your upper body hidden. That way you can be already armed. I can go out and direct him toward the cargo bay, but not enter. If anyone else is there, I can try to block them from entering. That leaves you three to surround and subdue him. Is that reasonable?" "You three" being, of course, Corbin, Gabe, and Slaine.

So we've got a couple days travel. I think we start getting to know each other.
You'd all learn that Slaine grew up as a poor undercity kid. Got into some trouble as a kid, but like... Kid trouble, nothing that wal call their attention to parents clinic.
Got out by going into a Bioinformatics University program, then P.D.F. University, then P.D.F. Medic tour for a year before befing recruited and transferring to the ITC.

Slaine wouldspar with anyone who was willing, is a bit of a beginner so not much of a challenge for anyone who is trained.

Hank smirks and says, "I figure you know my background better than I do, at this point."

Hank will gamely try to spar a bit, but it would be more of a training session than an actual sparring session as, while he does have Athletics, he has no Melee skill. He will then spend some more time doing his Elder research. He will continue to do some general socializing at meal time and when chances present themselves.

I imagine Jil mostly keeps to herself. More people in involved will likely cause her to be even more quiet than before. She will mostly deflect on issues about her past.

Corbin asks Hank and Jil to go over what they experienced and would spend some time checking the logs, etc. He's hoping to find some trace of what was done to the ship that would cause it to attempt to crash.

Hank and Jil explain the experience and what they saw. Hank then happily shows Corbin everything they found, pulling in Gabe to help with his parts. This includes all the logs they found and the holes in those logs.

It would be great if Corbin could find something else, but with the holes in the logs, Hank is pretty sure anything above what they have already is long deleted. He hopes he is wrong, though.

For the next day, Corbin takes a look at the logs, but finds the same thing as Hank did. Either way, the stars outside the viewport seemed to beckon them home.

Jil took the pilot's seat, her hands steady on the controls, while Hank, Corbin, Slaine and Gabe settled into their respective seats. In the meantime, Gabe reviewed their plan:

"We'll fake a medical emergency, with Jil as the bait. Once Carter arrives in the shuttle bay to offer his services, we'll apprehend him." He said, fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as he calculated the logistics. "We'll need to make it convincing."

Finally, the familiar silhouette of the Celestial Voyager came into view, its form a beacon of hope amidst the vastness of space. With a sense of dread and anticipation, Jil guided the shuttle towards the waiting embrace of their ship.

With the details ironed out, they set the trap in motion, positioning themselves strategically throughout the shuttle bay while Hank left.

As Jil waited patiently in the floor, her heart pounding with anticipation, the shuttle bay remained eerily silent.

M5 if no one takes a similar position, hiding.
Otherwise D4/G4 room

Hank will just play it straight. Any natural nervousness is played as concern for Jill. Hank meets him at the bay door and points to where Jil is and says, "Oh thank goodness you got here so fast! Jil's over there! Please hurry!"

Corbin will be at d3, out of sight but ready to come in behind Carter.

Before hand, Hank would suggest that Slaine be at D4 and Corbin be at K6 or J7 and fully visible. Corbin is supposed to be there, and having him appear to be helping Jil adds to the believability. His weapon would be hidden by the tank at J6. Just a thought.

The crew gathered in the shuttle bay, finalizing their plan to capture Ryan Carter, the notorious unlicensed medic and fugitive.

With a nod of determination, Jil took her position near the shuttle, ready to execute her role in the ruse. Her heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she mentally prepared herself for the task ahead.

Slaine, hidden in the nearby room, was ready for it.

Meanwhile, Hank activated the communication system, initiating contact with Ryan Carter. With each ring, the tension in the shuttle bay intensified, anticipation hanging thick in the air.

After a few moments, a voice crackled through the speaker. "This is Ryan. Yes?"

Hank's voice remained steady as he replied, "Carter, we need your help. We have a medical emergency in the shuttle bay. We require your expertise immediately."

Hank, stationed at the shuttle bay door, awaited the arrival of their target with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. His heart raced as he mentally rehearsed his lines, knowing that the success of their mission hinged on the execution of their plan.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the corridor, signaling Ryan Carter's approach. Hank's pulse quickened as he braced himself, ready to play his part in the elaborate ruse.

As the main corridor port door slid open with a hiss, Hank's gaze locked onto Ryan, who entered with a sense of urgency etched across his face. "Oh, thank goodness you got here so fast!" Hank exclaimed, feigning relief. "Jil's over there! Please hurry!"

Ryan's eyes widened in concern as he followed Hank's outstretched arm, his footsteps quickening as he made his way towards where Jil supposedly lay in distress.

Meanwhile, hidden from view, Jil lay perfectly still, her pulse racing with anticipation. Every muscle in her body tensed as she waited for the moment to spring their trap, her breaths shallow and controlled.

With each step Ryan took closer to Jil's supposed location, the tension in the shuttle bay mounted to a palpable degree. Every member of the crew held their breath, their focus trained on the unfolding scene before them.

Finally, Ryan reached Jil's side, his expression a mix of concern and determination. "Jil, what's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.

In that moment, the trap was set, the pieces of their plan falling into place with precision. Now, all that remained was for the crew to execute the final phase of their operation and apprehend Ryan Carter once and for all.

Corbin stands from beside Jil, leveling his rifle at Ryan.

"Ryan, we need to ask you some questions. Hopefully, once they're answered, we can go back to business as usual."

As Corbin stood beside Jil, his rifle aimed squarely at Ryan, the atmosphere in the shuttle bay shifted from anticipation to confrontation. Ryan's eyes darted between the crew members, a mixture of surprise and apprehension flickering across his face.

"Ryan, we need to ask you some questions," Corbin stated firmly, his voice unwavering. "Hopefully, once they're answered, we can go back to business as usual."

Jil, fueled by determination, reached for her pistol, her grip steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Gabe, sensing the gravity of the situation, stepped forward, his presence adding weight to the standoff.

Ryan's expression hardened, a flicker of defiance in his eyes as he met Corbin's gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replied tersely, his tone defensive.

Slaine is going to exit the room, checking to see if "Ryan" has a datapad or a weapon on him.
"Alfredo Hernandez. Raise your hands towards the ceiling. Any sudden movements will be taken as a threat.
I am Special Agent Slaine Rowan of the ITC Special Investigations. You are wanted for practicing medicine without a license, you are in suspicion of conspiracy and restricted genetic research."

Hank hears movement in the other room, then steps back into the room while continuing to watch Ryan. He glances over to see who is in there, and sees Erin. He immediately snaps his head back to watch Ryan and says to Erin, "Apparently, Ryan is a wanted fugitive. Would you please come over here and help me guard the door to prevent him from fleeing? Weapons are welcome; I'm currently unarmed."

The weight of Slaine's words hung heavy in the air as the gravity of the situation became undeniable. Hank, stationed nearby, remained vigilant, his gaze fixed on "Ryan" as he monitored the unfolding confrontation.

As Slaine stepped into the room, Hank's eyes briefly flickered to Erin, who stood nearby.

"Apparently, Ryan is a wanted fugitive," Hank explained tersely. "Would you please come over here and help me guard the door to prevent him from fleeing? Weapons are welcome; I'm currently unarmed."

Erin, though unarmed, nodded in understanding, her determination matching that of her fellow crew members. Together, they formed a united front, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.

Meanwhile, "Ryan" remained composed, his demeanor unchanged despite the accusations leveled against him. With a hint of amusement in his voice, he spoke up, his words carrying a sense of detachment.

"It's been a while since I was called Alfredo," he remarked casually, as though discussing the weather rather than his status as a wanted fugitive. His nonchalant demeanor only served to heighten the tension in the room, as the crew grappled with the realization that they were face to face with a dangerous adversary.

In a sudden blur of motion, Ryan's form shimmered and wavered, like a mirage dissipating in the desert heat. Before anyone could react, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind nothing but a sense of bewilderment and disbelief.

Hank's eyes widened in shock as he watched the space where Ryan had stood moments before, his mind struggling to comprehend the abrupt disappearance. Jil's hand instinctively tightened around her gun, ready to fire her weapon at the first sign of danger.

Gabe glanced around the room and searched for any trace of the vanished fugitive. But there was nothing. Ryan had simply vanished into the ether, leaving no clues behind.

As the crew exchanged bewildered glances, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of their stomachs. They had been outmaneuvered, their carefully laid plans unraveling before their eyes. Ryan's escape was a stark reminder of the danger he posed, and the lengths to which he would go to evade capture.

Can I take a (sword)swing at the space Alfredo just left?

As the shock of Ryan's sudden disappearance settled over the room, Slaine's instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, they drew their sword and lunged forward, aiming a swift and precise swing at the empty space where Alfredo had stood just moments before.

The blade sliced through the air with a faint whistle, but there was nothing to meet its edge. Slaine's strike found only emptiness, the momentum carrying they forward as they pivoted to regain their balance.

Erin watched the scene unfold with a mixture of amusement and confusion, her brow furrowing in puzzlement. Jil, on the other hand, reacted swiftly to the sudden motion, instinctively stepping back to avoid being caught in the path of Slaine's swinging blade. Her eyes widened in surprise as she registered the empty space where Ryan had been, her mind racing to make sense of the inexplicable turn of events.

We need to search this ship Alfredo Hernandez, who you knew as Ryan, could be a threat to this ship and crew. He has already shown to be uncooperative and may be equipped with internal explosives. They turn to Gabe, First officer Gabriel Reyes, I am not trying to take any sort of command of this ship, but we need to find Alfredo, or at least k ow that Alfredo isnt on this ship. I suggest moving in pairs. Can you coordinate with Captain Valeria Zaytsev?

---

Can I make any sort of check to know... What that was? Have I ever seen anything like that?

Hank looks at Slaine and asks, "Can bio-synths be psychic?" He then turns to Gabe and Corbin and says, "Check the shuttles! Make sure he isn't on board."

Turning back to Slaine, he adds, "I doubt splitting up into teams and manually searching is a good idea. We're going to be better off getting everyone into a safe place, then depressurize or otherwise force his hand into exposing himself. If we pair off to wander around trying to find him, we will just be dying in pairs."

Oh. I forgot something potentially useful ...

"Shut those doors, Corbin calls to Hank and Erin. Corbin didn't see either of them knocked out of the way. So assuming 'Ryan' is just invisible and fast, he'd need to stick to the doorways. Corbin grabs Jil's arm and pulls her toward the bulkhead so the two of them have their backs to the wall and clearer view of the shuttlebay.

"Check the shuttles! Make sure he isn't on board," Hank suggested, his tone decisive as he delegated tasks to Gabe and Corbin. The urgency in his voice underscored the seriousness of their predicament, as they scrambled to prevent Ryan from slipping away undetected.

As Corbin called for the doors to be shut, Hank and Erin swiftly complied, sealing off potential avenues of escape for their elusive quarry. Corbin, his keen observation skills in full force, positioned himself and Jil strategically against the bulkhead, maximizing their visibility of the shuttle bay while minimizing blind spots.

Meanwhile, Slaine wasted no time in rushing back to the generators room they had just exited, their mind racing with the possibilities of Ryan's abilities. "He could have teleported if he is Psionic," they surmised, voice tinged with urgency as they sought to unravel the mystery of their foe's elusive tactics.

Hank radios to the bridge. "Captain, I apologize for the extreme break in protocol. We have a big problem. Ryan is a fugitive and he literally disappeared from our view while six people were watching him. He must be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Please do an entire ships scan. We need to find him and find him now! Everyone in the crew needs to team up in groups of at least three.

Also, we need both shuttles remotely shut down immediately until we can find him!

This is a major threat to us and the ship."

Oracle question: When and where does Hank encounter Ryan again?

I am still learning this, so forgive if this is a weak question. Also, this only goes forward up to a day, so if Hank won't encounter Ryan for the next 24 hours, he gets no answer.

Hank's mind raced as he sought to see Ryan, his thoughts a jumble of fragmented images and fleeting impressions. But as he delved deeper into the future, a strange sensation washed over him, like a chill wind whispering through his mind.

Suddenly, without warning, the world around him shifted, and Hank found himself enveloped in a vision unlike any he had experienced before. In the blink of an eye, he was transported to a scene of chaos and destruction, his surroundings blurred and indistinct.

Hank's heart pounded in his chest as he surveyed the scene before him, his senses overwhelmed by the intensity of the vision. He watched helplessly his future self looking into a video recording, as it showed Ryan and then the passenger shuttle erupting in a blinding explosion, the force of the blast tearing through the ship with devastating force.

In the midst of the chaos, he caught a glimpse of Jil and Gabe, their figures engulfed in flames as they were hurled into the void of space. A surge of anguish and despair washed over Hank as he witnessed their final moments, his mind reeling with the magnitude of the tragedy unfolding before him. He could feel the crushing weight of despair pressing down on him, a sense of helplessness overwhelming his senses.

Tears stung his eyes as he struggled to comprehend the enormity of what he had foreseen. The vision had been a cruel twist of fate, a glimpse into a future stained with tragedy.

Now, in front of him, the closed doors to the shuttle bay beckoned. Will you try to change the future?

Hank tries to figure out how far ahead he will see the recording with Ryan in it.

The future and the visions are annoyingly vague. Hanks learns that it always relate to actions and events, not abstract facts. Moreover, only the most important or significant information is conveyed by the technique. Because of this, the visions seem to have a mind of their own. Crucial details slip through and he can't control the exact question, just its general direction.

He feels that this vision are about his actions more than 1 minute into the future, but within his 1 day precognition capabilities.

Hank bursts through the door with Erin in tow. "I think he's on the shuttle! We need to clear the shuttle right now!

"Rowan: If we don't find him, we'll need you and your sword to make sure he isn't there.

"Corbin: We need to make sure he can't sabotage the shuttle. Can we completely shut it down? Make sure nothing can be overloaded?"

Assuming the shuttle's locker is still operational, Corbin and Gabe can cover everyone as they quickly arm up. There are six of us, so we should be able to systematically ensure the shuttle is cleared, even if he is invisible. Well, five, as Corbin will need to be focused on making sure the shuttle can't explode.

GM edit: Not enough time for that last paragraph.

If Slaine doesn't notice anything they will go help Hank.

As Hank burst through the door with Erin in tow, his urgency palpable, the gravity of the situation became painfully clear. "I think he's on the shuttle! We need to clear the shuttle right now!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing with urgency as he sought to avert disaster.

Meanwhile, Slaine remained in the generators room, focused on the task at hand, oblivious to the unfolding chaos outside. Their mind raced with possibilities as they searched for Alfredo or any obvious sign of his whereabouts, unaware of the imminent danger lurking just beyond the door.

"Corbin, we need to make sure he can't sabotage the shuttle. Can we completely shut it down? Make sure nothing can be overloaded?" Hank's voice echoed in the tense silence, his words laden with urgency as he sought a solution to the impending crisis.

But before any action could be taken, realization struck Hank like a bolt of lightning. An explosion was imminent, and there was no time to change course. The shuttle bay's force fields would fail, leading to rapid decompression and catastrophic consequences for anyone caught in its path.With a surge of adrenaline, Hank's instincts kicked into overdrive. He glanced around frantically, his eyes falling on Corbin, clad in his armored vaccsuit. He is always wearing it, even if uncomfortable and unnecessary. Erin even jokes that he sleeps in it.

But Erin, Jil, and himself are exposed now, vulnerable in their more comfortable attire and secure clothing.

Without a moment's hesitation, Hank made a split-second decision.

There are only three options I see for those of us exposed:
1) Get back to the corridor.
2) Get into the room with Slaine.
3) Get into the fuel shuttle.

He will grab both Erin and Jil (I assume they are next to him) and run to whichever is closer with them and hope we can close the door in time.

He has no idea where Gabe is, but he can only worry about himself and those with him now. 😕

Trade Era 1235, Day 137

Shuttle’s bay, Celestial Voyager, Draco system.
Jil took her place on the floor of the shuttle bay, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for the signal to spring their trap.

The minutes stretched on, each one feeling like an eternity as the shuttle bay remained eerily silent. But Jil refused to let doubt creep in. She trusted her crewmates implicitly, knowing that they were all in this together.

Finally, Hank's voice crackled over the communication system, initiating contact with Ryan Carter. Jil's heart raced as she listened to the exchange, her senses on high alert as they waited for their target to take the bait.

When Ryan finally appeared, Jil's pulse quickened with a mixture of adrenaline and apprehension. As he approached her, concern etched on his face, she fought to maintain her composure, knowing that the success of their mission hinged on her ability to play her part convincingly.

But just as they were on the cusp of victory, disaster struck. Ryan vanished into thin air, leaving behind nothing but confusion and disbelief in his wake.

"Shut those doors", Corbin calls, to Hank and Erin. Then, Corbin's strong grip closed around her arm, pulling her towards the bulkhead with a firm urgency. With their backs pressed against the wall, Jil felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she focused on the scene playing out in the shuttle bay beyond. Her eyes scanned the room with a heightened sense of awareness, searching for any sign of Alfredo. Together, they stood shoulder to shoulder, their backs against the bulkhead as they watched and waited, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

But it was Hank that sprung into action, not them. He entered the bay running and reached for her. Jil was propelled forward with surprising force. Her senses were overwhelmed with a whirlwind of motion as Hank pulled her along, Erin following closely behind. Their hurried footsteps echoed loudly against the metal flooring as they raced towards the generator room, the urgency in Hank's voice ringing in her ears. He called out to Corbin, instructing him to suit up in his armored vaccsuit.

As they reached the safety of the generator room, she took a moment to catch her breath, her chest heaving with exertion. Amidst the chaos, Slaine was already there, looking for Ryan. Before either of them could make sense of Hank's actions, a deafening explosion rocked the room, the force of it blowing the door wide open. The shuttle bay was a mess. The passenger shuttle was gone, the force fields broken and both Corbin and the refueling shuttle sucked into the void.

The sudden decompression sent a shockwave through the generator room, threatening to engulf them in its wake. With a sense of urgency bordering on desperation, Jil braced herself against the onslaught, her hands gripping onto anything within reach for stability. In the chaos that ensued, Jil's mind raced with a single thought: survival. With every fiber of her being, she clung to the hope that they would emerge from this ordeal unscathed.

Trade Era 1235, Day 137

Celestial Voyager, Draco system.
As the dust settled and the smoke cleared from the aftermath of their encounter with Ryan and his astonishing teleportations, the crew of the Celestial Voyager gathered in a makeshift command center to review the footage captured during the chaotic events. Hank, Jil, Corbin and Slaine stood tense and expectant, their eyes fixed on the holographic display as it flickered to life, revealing the momentous events that had unfolded just hours before.

Amidst the tension-filled atmosphere, the door to the room slid open with a soft hiss, admitting the graceful figure of Captain Valeria Zaytsev. With a measured pace, Valeria approached the holographic display. Her usually vibrant eyes, filled with determination and resolve, were now clouded with sorrow as she watched the events unfold before her. Every flicker of the holographic images seemed to weigh heavily upon her shoulders, each moment of chaos and destruction a painful reminder of the fragility of life in the unforgiving expanse of space.

"Captain," Jil began, her voice steady despite the underlying tension in the room. "We've captured footage of our encounter with Ryan Carter. It... it's unlike anything we've ever seen before. He was able to evade us effortlessly, slipping through our grasp with uncanny ease."

Despite her efforts to maintain her composure, tears welled in Valeria's eyes, betraying the depth of her emotions as she grappled with the pain of their loss. Her hands trembled slightly at her sides, a silent testament to the anguish that gnawed at her soul as she struggled to come to terms with the cruel hand fate had dealt them.

"We must track down Ryan Carter" - Valeria said.

As Captain Valeria's resolute words hung in the air, Erin's expression hardened into a steely mask of determination. Her eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, fueled by a primal instinct for vengeance that simmered just beneath the surface. With a resolute grip on her weapon, she stepped forward, her voice tinged with a quiet but unmistakable resolve.

"I'm ready for it," Erin declared, her tone firm and unwavering. "Ryan Carter needs to pay for what he's done. He can't just disappear into the void and leave us to pick up the pieces."

Beside her, Slaine nodded in understanding, their expression thoughtful as they considered the implications of Erin's words. "Perhaps the ITC could offer a bounty for his capture," they suggested "It could incentivize others to aid in our pursuit and increase our chances of success.""Can you check with the local authorities about that bounty, Special Agent Rowan?" - Valeria asked Slaine. - "I can give you some local contacts, it's not my first time here. Chief Inspector Marcus Trent and Judge Ramirez are old friends and could help us in this time of need. I also know of a reporter, called Olivia Winters, she works for the Interstellar Broadcast Network and would probably love to interview you. Corbin, do you prefer to help in the hunt or with repairs? In the meantime, I wanna talk with Hank in private, I have a proposition for you. Let's go to my office."

Damage assessment. Corbin heads to engineering to begin pulling reports on the extent of the damage. An exploding shuttle has the potential to cause tons of unseen damage to the ship, on top of the obvious hole in the ship.

Hank goes to offer some thoughts in the first part of the conversation, but thinks better of it and simply watches and listens.

At Valeria's last comment, Hank briefly has a surprised look on his face, but quickly suppresses it. Once she indicates, Hank follows her into her office.

As Corbin rushed to the engineering section, his mind raced with the weight of responsibility. He knew that an exploding shuttle could wreak havoc on the Celestial Voyager, causing not only visible damage but also unseen consequences that could jeopardize the entire ship.

Upon reaching the engineering console, Corbin immediately began pulling up reports on the extent of the damage. His fingers flew across the controls, accessing critical systems and scanning for any signs of compromise. As Corbin delved deeper into the system diagnostics, additional alarms blared, indicating disruptions to vital systems throughout the ship. The explosion had triggered a chain reaction, causing power fluctuations, ruptured conduits, and compromised integrity seals.

With a sinking feeling in his chest, Corbin realized the true extent of the damage. The explosion had not only created a gaping hole in the shuttle bay but also compromised the ship's overall stability. Without immediate intervention, the Celestial Voyager faced the very real possibility of catastrophic failure in combat or unforeseen situations.

Damage Report

Total: 41,000 credits

As Corbin pondered the daunting expense of repairing the Celestial Voyager, a bold idea began to take shape in his mind. He considered the possibility of selling and dismantling some of the ship's fittings to offset the cost of the necessary repairs.

With determination in his eyes, Corbin set out to assess the value of the ship's fittings and equipment. He meticulously cataloged each item, evaluating its condition and potential resale value.



It was a drastic measure, but one that might be necessary to ensure the Celestial Voyager's continued operation. However, Corbin knew he couldn't make such a decision unilaterally. He needed authorization from Captain Valeria before taking any action that would impact the ship's integrity or functionality. And from Gabe, if he was alive.

Hank has no ability to hide the surprise in his face. "Real-- Yes. Yes, I would be honored to perform that role! I know I cannot match Gabe's knowledge or experience, but I will give you all I have."

Hank pauses for a couple moments, then says, "Before you fully commit to this decision, I need to reveal something to you first." He takes a deep breath and continues, "I am a Precog. I have Precognition psychic abilities. I was trained at university in the basics of handling it and for the longest time it was just subtle and minor. All I could do was very occasionally get a sense for something in the immediate future or see a hint of an immediately possibility. Mostly, I just ignored it. But very recently I have started being able to 'see' a little more farther out, and I have start to be able to 'feel' when something bad is about to happen to me. I am still very new to all of this, but it is there.

"That is why I acted so oddly in the shuttle bay. I 'saw' something bad was going to happen. I couldn't stop it; I didn't have enough warning. But I was able to at least save Jil and warn Corbin. I did put Erin at risk, though, because I didn't realize time was so short at first.

"So, as you can see, it is a fickle ability. But it is there and if I am going to take this position, I feel you need to know about it. I do ask that you keep it in your confidence, however, regardless of any decision you make."

I think Slaine would be helping Corbin assess damages, both as an official agent to verify any claims, and to fill their report (and also just to help).
Slain would also accept an "I got this" dismissal, if Corbin wanted to handle it himself. They gets how engineers and scientists can be with projects.

---

Edit: actually, if anyone's injured Slaine would be helping with that. I just assumed everyone was mostly ok.

Hank gets up and says, "Thank you for your trust and confidence in me. I will do everything I can to make sure it is not misplaced." With that he gets up, nods, and heads for the door. Just before he opens the door, he turns around for a moment and says, "Please don't forget that if you ever need to talk about anything, I am always here. You can't talk with many people because you are the Captain. I am always available and, even though I may not be able to help, I am always willing to listen."

With that, he turns around and quietly leaves. He then heads out to find Corbin.

Hank goes looking for Corbin. Once he finds him, he sees that Slaine is helping him. Having spent so much time working together, especially having joined at the same time, Hank feels he can confide in him. "Looks like I get Gabe's old gig. If only I can do half as well ..." He trails off before catching himself. "How's it looking? The Captain asked me to check with you on where we stood and what our options are. I assume they are all bad to worse."

He turns to Slaine and says, "Special Agent, we will greatly appreciate your help managing the station. We already have a reporter floating around and a judge to coordinate with. We are definitely going to be relying on you for guidance through this. I only ask that we run everything through the Captain before any official statements are made or interviews given."

When Slaine offers to help, Corbin points to an open console. "Thanks, use that station. I've started with the engines working forward. If you'll start the diagnostics on the bridge systems and work aft from there. We should have an idea how bad it is fairly quickly."

When Hank arrives. "Congrats, sorry it had to be 'combat' promotion. But I think you'll do fine."

Hank turns to Slaine and says, "Special Agent Rowan, we will greatly appreciate your help managing the station. The Captain has provided some of her contacts on the station to help. The first persons you probably need to contact are Chief Inspector Marcus Trent and Judge Ramirez. Be sure to name-drop her when reaching out to them. The faster we can get the station working with us, the better chance we have to stop Ryan, uh, whoever it is.

"In addition, getting in contact with the reporter, uh ..." Hank has to check his notes, "Olivia Winters from Interstellar Broadcast Network can help get the information out. Again, the sooner we get these resources marshalled, the faster we can find him. Assuming he's still around to be found."

Slaine isn't great at actual mechanics , but sifting through and recording information? That Slaine can do, so they spend a while recording diagnostics and using that, and cross referencing with external value reports to begin a report.
Once addressed by Hank they look up."I've already started an official report, both for the ITC and for possible reimbursement. It's not guaranteed but sometimes it does happen.
I'll make sure to include it when I contact the Judge and Chief Inspector.." they then pause. "Do you trust this reporter not to spin something,? I can file a report but don't make official statements. I usually have someone available whose job that is. "

---

Slaine is going to get all the damages files and also try to get a statement from each crew member present about the incident (from leaving the shuttle to the explosion) and file it with the report, if they are willing.
Slaine probably spends most of a day total doing all the forms and getting the damage report with Corbin, and any willing statements. Once done will message Chief Inspector Marcus Trent and Judge Ramirez the reports.

---

They will also request the crew reports any concussion effects or new adverse health expierences, both for a report, and offering medical services personally.

Hank replies, "OK. The reporter is probably trustworthy, as she was brought up by the Captain directly. However, I completely empathize with your hesitation. So, let's not worry about that yet. I check back with her on how she wants to handle the reporter. But please do get things started with the Chief Inspector and Judge.

"Thank you!"

He will then work with Corbin on assessing the report so they can jointly present the report and recommendations to the Captain.

Hank looks up to Erin's question and smiles. The three of them had spent a lot of free time together and had a lot of good times over the year Erin has been with the crew. Hank and Corbin had hit it off when they joined the crew together and bonded despite their radically different backgrounds. While proving his accounting acumen, Hank also spent a lot of time on maintenance detail with Corbin. When Erin joined the crew, she ended up taking over a lot of the maintenance work Hank had been doing. So, in the process, they made it a trio who would bond during break time and have some fun escapades on shore duty.

He says, "Sure, come on over! You're always welcome to join the fun! Corbin has compiled a list of all the damage the ship took, and we're trying to formulate a recommendation to the Captain for how we handle it. It is not a very pretty picture at all. Take a look if you can stomach it."

While they look over it, Hank continues, "So, here is the list of damages and their repair costs. All things considered, for having the shuttle explode in the shuttle bay, this is way better than it could have been. Whoever built the Voyager sure made her resilient! Plus, I imagine two years of Corbin's care hasn't hurt either. But, it is still pretty bad. The problem, of course, is that we don't have that much money. And, while we can do the repairs here, I don't think there are any replacement shuttles here we can buy, unless someone is selling one second-hand. Which ... is something I should probably check out in a bit.

"Since we have nothing in the hold other than the supplies we need to sustain our journey, we're kinda screwed on generating cash. Not sure how we're gonna be making that all work, to be honest. And that's where we are stuck. We know the damage and what it will take to fix, but we're trying to figure how what to recommend for the best path forward. And, once we make the repairs, we will need even more spare parts, plus we'll need to get all of those other spare parts we got before, again, because ..." He trails off not completing his sentence. "So, we need even more money than what those repairs are gonna cost."

Taking a look through it, Erin comments, "Well, that does not look good. What's your plan?"

Hank pulls up the above report and does kind of a stream-of-consciousness. "Well, we have a crew of 25. That won't fit in a shuttle, so regulations will require us to keep the Lifeboats. There's no way we're selling the Spike Drive, the Fuel Shuttle, or the cold sleep pods. I don't think we can sell the Fuel Bunkers because we kinda need them to get anywhere. That leaves the contents of the Ship's Locker, the extended stores and the Overlay. Even if we could selectively slice down the Overlay, I would imagine that requires more extensive facilities than we have here. That brings us down to the extended stores and ship's locker.

"So, from what I can see, it looks like we are reduced to this:
1) Siphon off what we can from both the extended stores and ship's locker to pay for the repairs. Hopefully the station will give us some sweetheart deals instead of trying to gouge us. This will at least let us move again and allow us to get from place to place.
2) Hold off on getting a replacement shuttle. We'll see if we can get a loaner from the Sentinel, or if Special Agent Rowan can swing us a replacement from his Agency, whether loaner or outright transfer.

"That's the best I'm seeing. Any better ideas? Please?"

"I'll do my best to get some sort of compensation, but once I submit the paperwork it's out of my hands. But with everything else I would suggest keeping just the one shuttle for now.
The ship's locker would cover that, plus some extra creds you might be able to turn into trade."

Hank will reach out to any commercial contacts the Captain has to see what is both available for sale that they need, and what they can sell here. I'm assuming we can do the work needed on our own. We just need the supplies to get it done. The shuttle is a whole separate issue.

Speaking of the Sentinel, Hank wonders how they are doing on their hunt ...

Hank looks completely stunned. "Wow. That was ... unexpected. That isn't a good thing. Now we have to find a new crew, too? Not gonna be fun. What about our passengers? Are they looking for a new ride, now?"

Also, I forgot my Trade roll. Here we go ...

EDIT:
Also, I suppose this means we need to start looking for more crew. We're gonna need 5-7 to just run the ship!

Hank asks Erin, "Did they say why they quit en mass? Just didn't want to be part of a cursed ship, or was there something else driving them away?"

Corbin processes the news of the crew quitting. You know, I don't think I'd quit in a system where there's a revolution brewing... but hey, each to their own. On the other hand, there's no reason the synths have to be frozen while we're in real space. Waking them up will double the current crew, and I'm pretty sure I trust them.

"Corbin, in light of the hacked shuttle computer that almost killed us back at Draco I, and the Fugitive's ability to overload the shuttle so quickly, have you scanned for any such booby traps or hidden bombs in the Voyager's computers?"

Hank also thinks there is something more to the crew all quitting at once. It seems very fishy. Maybe the Fugitive suborned them somehow? Probably not. But it is fishy.

Hank replies, "Yeah, I don't feel that way, either."

He turns to Slaine and says, "Well, if you are going to keep 'Ryan' around, then you're going to need to get moving, or he's gonna get on that ship with the rest of the leaving crew. And he doesn't need a ticket, he can just 'hop' on at the last second.

"When you get back, I'd like to talk with you about your plans going forward."

Getting back to Corbin and Erin, he says, "Let's turn this to our advantage. With less than half the crew, we only need half the supplies. So, we should be able to sell off around a quarter of the Extended Stores and Ship's Locker supplies. Then, add that to the Lifeboats, and that should give us enough funds for the repairs and a new shuttle. We might even be able to get a better deal on a replacement shuttle if we can find a used one to buy. But, that should pay for everything without harming our operational readiness. That just means the shuttles will have to serve as our lifeboats. It also means we won't be able to add much, if any, crew until we can get new lifeboats.

Assuming Douklan returns, he and the synths will give us the base crew we require. I'll talk with Mariella and see if she is willing to pitch in. We can work an extended time in that configuration going forward.""Oh, and speaking of the synths, Corbin, you should probably go ahead and wake them up now. We'll need their help with all of the repairs and rebuilding that needs to be done. I mean Erin and I can help, but the synths will be way more useful to speeding up the process."

"Does that all make sense to you? Any better ideas? If not, that's what I'm pitching to the Captain."When we finish the discussion, he'll have all three of them go to talk to Valeria. Erin can decline, but she is invited to join.

Slane looks between the two screens they are already working on, and then back up at Erin.
I think I do need some help. I have so much to fill out for these reports. And a dangerous terrorist to find

"Erin, I hate to sound paranoid," pulling their bioscanner out of their bag, "but after everything you might understand where I'm coming from. Would you concent to a quick scan?There is a small possibility that Alfredo Hernandez, who you knew as Ryan Carter, could have compromised individuals he had extended periods of access to." Slain is watching for any sort of recognition or violent action. "I don't know if anyone from your crew has given you an update on my, out, suspicions. "

Assuming they are still all together, Hank will reassure Erin, saying, "It's OK. It is quick and non-invasive and will provide some piece of mind. Honestly, I'll probably need to talk Valeria into letting the Special Agent scan the rest of us, too. But that will probably have to wait until after the manhunt."

Erin allows Slaine's scanning. It shows as human.

"That was painless. Let's go."

As Corbin delved into the task of scanning the Celestial Voyager's computers and equipment for booby traps or hidden bombs, he found no evidence of booby traps or hidden bombs. However, he knew that ensuring the ship's safety required more than a cursory scan.

With a sigh of resignation, Corbin realized that fully clearing the Celestial Voyager of any potential threats would require days of exhaustive analysis and testing.

What's Slaine's next steps and what do they have available? Slaine would like to keep looking, but I'm not sure what's available.

Trade Era 1235, Day 137. 18:15 UTC

Surveillance room, Postal Authority orbital station, Draco III
Slaine and Erin navigated the bustling corridors of the Postal Authority orbital station, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors as they made their way to the surveillance room. The station hummed with activity, the air buzzing with the energy of its inhabitants going about their duties.

As they reached the surveillance room, Slaine and Erin were greeted by a security officer stationed at the entrance. After checking Slaine's identity, with a nod of recognition, the officer granted them access, allowing them to step into the dimly lit chamber beyond.

Inside, banks of monitors lined the walls, displaying live feeds from various sectors of the station and its surrounding space. Slaine's eyes flickered across the screens, scanning for any sign of the elusive fugitive, Ryan.

"Let's start by narrowing down the time," Erin suggested, excitement in her voice. "We're looking for any footage of Ryan leaving the Celestial Voyager and heading towards the station. Once we locate the relevant recordings, we can analyze them for any clues to his whereabouts."

Special Agent Slaine Rowan will scan through footage, starting with when the explosion happened. Starting with the Celestial Voyager and working out from there till Alfredo is found. Then will try to track movement and direction, moving from camera recording area to camera recording area. If there is any times Alfredo seems to be lost between cameras or vanish from view (supposedly teleporting) Slaine will continue this methodical, working-oitward-from-a-point, method.
Hopefully Erin can help work through footage faster.

Hank and Corbin enter the Valeria's office. Hank places his dataslab on her desk and activates the holographic display (so everyone can see it at once), oriented towards her. His long experience of presenting reports allows him to easily read the report even though he is effectively looking at a mirror image of it. It contains the list of damages and their costs to repair, and shows what they recommend to sell to pay for the repairs.

Corbin presents the damage to the Celestial Voyager and what has to be repaired or replaced, finishing with one (1) cargo shuttle. He also explains the other diagnostics he ran to try to determine if there are any presents or booby traps left behind, though he also admits that once repairs are made he will have to go through everything in detail.

Hank then begins presenting the recommendations. Before addressing the repairs, he starts with the loss of the crew.

"The first, very important, loss we have taken is the loss of most of the crew. We are now down to five people, which is below the recommended rating for this ship. To address this, we recommend activating the synths and leaving them active. This, combined with the contributions of Douklan, when he returns, and possibly talking Mariella into helping, will give us the minimum without hiring anyone new. If both are present, that will give us a little buffer, too. So, even with no hires, we should be able to operate until we can upgrade our finances."He then points out the "assets" chart and highlights the Extended Stores, Ship's Locker, and Lifeboats. "With the significantly reduced crew, we can sell off about a quarter of our Extended Stores and Ship's Locker contents. With a crew and passengers of only a dozen or so, we don't need a full set of equipment for 25 or 30 people. With the returns on these sell-downs we will be able to cover, but not all, of the necessary repairs. The bulk of the money, sufficient to cover the rest of the repairs and a new cargo shuttle, is selling off the Lifeboats. With a reduced crew and passengers, we will be able to use the shuttles as our lifeboats, meaning we don't need dedicated Lifeboats. This isn't ideal, but we're past the point of working with ideal. If we are able to get a decent used cargo shuttle, then perhaps we won't have to dip into the Extended Stores.

"And that is the overview of our plans. This should provide enough of a buffer to cover reasonable cost overruns, and if we get some good bargains, then we roll anything left into the general fund."

Hank and Corbin then waits for her reaction.

"I believe I have found buyers for our extra supplies and a good source for the equipment we need for repairs. It looks like one will pretty much pay for the other if no one backs out. However, we still need to find a buyer for the lifeboats and a source for the replacement shuttle. I will need your help for both of those.""Also, I wonder how Douklan and the Sentinel are doing. I hope we can get everything repaired before they get back."

After this, Corbin likely heads over to start waking up the synths. Hank executes on the sale of the supplies and the purchase of the repair supplies. He then drafts Jil and asks Mariella (he can't draft her, as she is a passenger) to help pack up the extra supplies so they can be delivered to the buyer. He makes sure to focus only the untouched or best supplies and stores (excluding, of course, anything assigned to those remaining).

GM edit: That's a future post, depending on Corbin's answer.

"Captain, Hank's plan is light-years from ideal, it's also about as good as it can get. Short of tripping over a box of cash in the cleanup, we're going to have to trim down in the short term. I'll break out the Synths and get them started. I'm going to get them onto the clean up and repairs while I keep checking the systems for any residual sabotage."

Trade Era 1235, Day 137. 18:45 UTC

Engineering, Celestial Voyager
Corbin stood in the control room of the starship, his hands hovering over the activation panel for the Synths. He knew he needed their assistance to complete the repairs and cleanup, but he hesitated. Synths were not just tools; they were intricate creations with their own thoughts and feelings, albeit programmed.

Taking a deep breath, Corbin pressed the activation sequence, and one by one, the Synths powered up, their humanoid forms coming to life with a subtle hum.

The Synths, with their metallic sheen and precise movements, turned their attention to Corbin. "How may we assist you, sir?" one of them asked, its voice smooth and melodic.

---

Trade Era 1235, Day 137. 19:05 UTC

Communications room, Celestial Voyager
Hank sat in the cramped communication room of the Celestial Voyager, facing a hologram of Julia, a rep from a salvage company Valeria knew. She had a steely gaze that spoke of years of negotiation.

"We've heard about the incident involving your passenger shuttle," she stated, her voice tinged with a hint of sympathy. "Security reports indicate sabotage while docked at the station. So we have a proposition for you," she declared, her tone businesslike yet tinged with a hint of intrigue.

Hank leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Go on."

"We have a vessel in our possession—the Solaris," she continued, her holographic image flickering with anticipation. "It's a passenger shuttle as well. It's been through its fair share of challenges, but it's still spaceworthy. We're willing to offer it to you in exchange for the wreckage of your previous shuttle."

Hank considered her offer carefully. The Solaris could be a valuable asset, especially if they could negotiate additional benefits.

"What condition is the Solaris in?" Hank inquired, keeping his expression neutral.

The representative's eyes gleamed with determination. "It needs some refurbishment, of course," she admitted. "But with the right investment, it could serve you well. And in return, we'll take the wreckage off your hands."

Hank nodded thoughtfully, formulating a counteroffer. "We'll accept your offer for the Solaris," he began, "but we'll need more than just a vessel. We require repair parts for our shuttle bay."

The representative studied him for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Very well," she conceded. "We can provide the repair parts you need with a discount, but that wreckage is not worth that much."

Hank assessed the terms, recognizing the opportunity for mutual benefit. "Agreed, we will sell you our Lifeboats."

"Were they damaged in the incident?" - she asked.

Hank shook his head, relieved to provide some positive news amidst the grim circumstances. "No, fortunately, the lifeboats remained unscathed," he replied, his voice steady. "They are fully functional and available for you."

The representative's demeanor softened slightly at the news. "Good to hear," she remarked, a hint of approval in her voice. "Okay, we can trade that. This is our contract." she sent a digital document to Hank's holographic display."Deal," he replied, after reading the document, pressing some buttons and moving some levers to seal the deal.

As the holographic projection faded, Hank allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. The negotiations had been challenging, but they had secured not only a replacement vessel but also vital resources to repair their own ship. With a new task ahead, Hank left the room. Spotting Mariella in the corridors, he hurried to catch up.

---

Trade Era 1235, Day 137. 19:45 UTC

Surveillance room, Postal Authority orbital station, Draco III
Minutes turned into hours as they painstakingly sifted through the footage, their eyes glued to the monitors as they scrutinized every frame for any sign of Ryan's presence. The task was daunting, but Slaine and Erin remained undeterred, their resolve unwavering in the face of adversity.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of searching, Slaine's sharp eyes caught a flicker of movement on one of the screens. They leaned forward, their pulse quickening as they zoomed in on the footage, their heart pounding in anticipation.

"There," Slaine exclaimed, pointing to the screen. "That's him. Ryan, leaving the Celestial Voyager and heading towards the station's docking bays."

Erin's eyes widened in excitement as she watched the recording alongside Slaine, their efforts finally bearing fruit.

In the recording, Ryan moved through the bustling docking bays of the orbital station with purpose, his eyes scanning the crowds as he searched for someone specific. Amidst the throngs of travelers and workers, he navigated with ease, his movements calculated and deliberate.

After half an hour of searching, Ryan's persistence paid off as he spotted a man pushing a gravsled laden with cargo. With a quickened pace, he approached the man, his expression unreadable as he engaged him in conversation.

Slaine watched intently from the surveillance recording, their eyes narrowed in concentration as they observed Ryan's interaction with the man. Though they couldn't hear their conversation, they could discern from their body language that it was tense.

As the discussion between Ryan and the man pushing the gravsled continued, there where moments of whispered conversation and furtive glances exchanged between the two.

After something clearly looking like a threat from Ryan, the man finally relented, nodding in agreement as he gestured for Ryan to follow him. With a sense of urgency, they made their way through the bustling crowds of the docking bays, disappearing from view as they entered a private warehouse.

Inside the warehouse, the absence of surveillance cameras meant that Slaine's watchful gaze could no longer track Ryan's movements.

As Slaine put the surveillance footage in fast forward, their keen eyes caught the subtle movements within the private warehouse where Ryan had disappeared. Hours seemed to pass in mere moments as they scrutinized every frame, searching for any sign of his departure.

To their dismay, there was no trace of Ryan exiting the warehouse. Instead, in the last hour, a group of people entered the area, their presence raising Slaine's suspicions.

As they observed the newcomers, Slaine noted the urgency in their movements, the sense of purpose evident in their demeanor. They appeared to be engaged in a clandestine operation, their actions suggesting that they were there for a specific purpose.

As the surveillance footage played out before them, Slaine's mind raced with possibilities. Who were these people, and what were they doing in the warehouse? And most importantly, how did their presence relate to Ryan's?

Special Agent Slaine Rowan stared into questions and possibilities more than at anything in the real world, but came to one conclusion.
'There could be answers in that warehouse.'
"Erin, I can't promise safety, but we can go after Al-... Ryan... We can call the rest of your crew, and I can call for local reinforcemts. ...
But you and I will probably get there first. I'm willing to go after him if you are."

"Repairs, James. Lots of repairs," Corbin shakes his head for a second as the immensity of the work before him settles in. "Go ahead and access the damage reports, divide the work in pairs or individually as efficiency dictates. Repair non-functioning systems first, we'll worry about the functioning but damaged systems after that, anything missing will have to wait for replacement parts."

As Hank catches up to Mariella, he says, "Hey! Mariella! Just the person I was looking for. I have a question for you."

She nods, giving Hank the opening to continue. "My question is if you are able to help us out for a little while. As you have noticed, most of the crew just up and left, leaving us horribly short-handed. Would you be willing to help us out? Mostly just adding you into the duty roster to help keep things running properly. But in addition, you are more than welcome to help out with any trading. And you are still always welcome to do your own speculation under the Captain's rules."

Slaine nods to Erin, and gets on their com, while heading for the door.
"This is Special Agent Slaine Rowan of ITC Investigations. I am in pursuit of a dangerous criminal. Alfredo Hernandez has been located in the warehouse on 321 Reckoning Way. A group of assumed accomplices have recently entered the premisis. Send any available and armed enforcement personell.
Assume.eaxh individual is armed and dangerous. One known Psycher among the group.
I will be arriving in approximately 15 minutes." OOC: I am just assuming a time for flavor.
Then they switch channels to get ahold of the Celestial Voyager crew.
"Anyone who wants to help take down Alfredo after he wrecked your ship. Erin and I are headed to the warehouse on 321 Reckoning Way."Then, as they leave the building Slaine will say to Erin. "I'd like to do some recon and wait for backup. But if he makes a move, I'm going in after him. He's too dangerous to let recoup and recover. I'm not letting him go to ground. "

Trade Era 1235, Day 137. 20:00 UTC

Streets, Postal Authority orbital station, Draco III
As Slaine arrived at the docking bay of the warehouse on 321 Reckoning Way, Slaine's senses went on high alert. They scanned the area, their eyes darting from one shadowy corner to another, searching for any sign of movement or danger.

With a nod to Erin, Slaine took a deep breath and stepped forward, their hand resting on the hilt of their weapon. They approached the entrance to the warehouse with caution, their senses attuned to any potential threat that lay in wait. To their surprise, Alfredo was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a group of four men inside, each clearly armed with guns, their expressions hardened and determined. As Slaine approached a window, another man appeared from behind, his pistol raised in a threatening gesture.

"You have no business here," he spat, his tone menacing. "Leave now, or we'll make you regret it."

"ITC Investigations. Drop your weapon."
Slaine draws their blade and closes with the man.

Mariella's eyes light up at the opportunity. With nothing but time until Altairia, she eagerly accepts:

"I'd be glad to help out. I've got some experience with trading and I don't mind pitching in with the crew duties. Just let me know what needs to be done, and I'll do my best to lend a hand."

"Okay, sir."