Trade Era 1235, Day 161
Celestial Voyager, en route to Zyronis
Mariella smiled warmly as she listened to Douklan's words, her black-ish eyes reflecting a hint of nostalgia for her formative years under Master Alaric.
"Life in the Explorers Division is certainly an adventure," she began, her voice carrying a sense of reverence for the work they did.
"Every system we visit, every planet we land, every station we dock holds its own mysteries and wonders, and there's always something new to discover. But it's not without its challenges."
Mariella’s expression grew contemplative as she reflected on Douklan's implicit question.
"You know, Douklan, you've touched on something that many of us in the Explorers Division grapple with from time to time," she admitted.
"The allure of the unknown, the thrill of discovery—it's what drew us to this life in the first place. Yet, there are fleeting instances when we feel that unbearable lightness, as if we're adrift between worlds, devoid of significance, without a genuine care or connection to anything tangible."
She glanced down at her cards, the weight of her words settling over the table like a solemn reminder of the transient nature of human existence.
"So, indeed, there are times when we yearn for something more, something stable and grounding. We see the communities we visit, the bonds they share, and we can't help but wonder what it would be like to have roots of our own."
"It can be especially difficult when we encounter groups, civilizations or cultures that leave a lasting impression. But part of being an Explorer is understanding that our journey is ever-forward. We carry the memories and lessons of each system with us, but we also have a duty to keep exploring, to keep pushing the boundaries of what we know."
Mariella's gaze shifted to the viewport, where the stars painted a tapestry of distant worlds against the black canvas of space.
"So for some of us, the call of the cosmos is too strong to resist. We may dream of settling down someday, of building a home among the stars, but for now, our place is out there, among the unknown."
As she spoke, Mariella glanced around the table, meeting the gaze of each crew member.
"And moments like these," she continued, gesturing to the camaraderie and shared laughter around the card table,
"they help remind us of why we do what we do. It's not just about the destinations, the planets, the cities, the ruins; it's about the journey, the people and the bonds we form along the way."
With a wistful smile, she looked back at Douklan and the rest of the crew.
"But who knows what the future holds? Perhaps one day, I'll find my place among the stars… In a way I never expected." Turning her attention back to the game, she added,
"But for now, let's see if the cards are in my favor this round."
Trade Era 1235, Day 162
Celestial Voyager, Zyronis orbit
From space, the ecumenopolis below sprawls like a pulsating organism, its metallic veins stretching across the planetary surface, weaving a tapestry of light and life. The planet is adorned with the glimmering jewel of civilization—a metropolis that knows no bounds.
As the Celestial Voyager orbits over the planet's curvature, the first sight that captures the eye is the luminescent network of highways, crisscrossing the landscape like glowing arteries, pulsing with the constant flow of traffic. Towers of carbon and steel pierce the sky, reaching towards the stars with an insatiable ambition, their surfaces reflecting the orange glow of artificial illumination.
Clusters of districts form intricate patterns, each with its own character and purpose. The residential sectors, marked by their towering skyscrapers, appear as glowing beacons of humanity's collective existence, where millions reside in vertical cities that never sleep. Commercial districts bustle with activity, neon signs flashing in a kaleidoscope of colors, enticing denizens and visitors alike with promises of luxury and convenience.
Above the bustling streets and towering edifices, hundreds of small stations float like islands in the sky, their delicate structures defying gravity's pull. Each station is a microcosm of human endeavor, housing laboratories, factories, and living quarters for those who toil in the void above the city. Tethered by slender spires of carbon nanotubes, these stations serve as hubs of innovation and industry, their presence a testament to humanity's ingenuity and adaptability.
As the Celestial Voyager gracefully maneuvers through the orbital traffic lanes, its destination becomes apparent—a behemoth among the floating stations, the Stellar Express Hub. The hub emerges like a colossal celestial beacon, its sprawling structure dominating the view.
Approaching closer, the enormity of the hub becomes even more apparent. Its colossal docking bays stretch out like yawning chasms, eagerly awaiting the arrival of vessels from across the galaxy. With a gentle maneuver, the Celestial Voyager aligns itself with one of the gigantic docking bays, guided by the deft hands of Douklan Paravides. The bay's metallic doors yawn open with a low hum, revealing a cavernous expanse within—a vast hangar large enough to house entire fleets of spacecraft. Massive cranes and gantries hover overhead, their mechanical arms poised to assist with the delicate process of docking and unloading. Within the confines of the docking bay, vessels and workers clad in protective suits scurry about, their movements synchronized with the precision of a well-oiled machine as they attend to the needs of incoming starships.
With a soft thud, the Celestial Voyager completes its docking maneuver, securely mooring itself. As the vessel's engines power down, Mercer, Hank and other crew members prepare to unload the precious cargo and mail destined for the heart of the ecumenopolis below.
The process begins with cargo handlers and automated systems work in harmony to offload the hundreds of tons of goods from the hold of the Celestial Voyager. Cranes and conveyors whir into action, their mechanical arms reaching out to grasp containers and pallets, transferring them with effortless grace to waiting transport vehicles below.
As the bustling activity of unloading continues, a figure enters the starship and strides purposefully towards
Hank and Mercer. Looking like a
Stellar Express manager, he carries a dataslab in hand, accompanied by a humanoid droid bearing the sought-after StellarNet communication device. With a nod, he greets Hank and Mercer, acknowledging their safe delivery of the cargo.
"Good morning gentlemen," the Stellar Express manager begins, his voice carrying an air of authority tempered with appreciation.
"I come bearing the StellarNet communication device you procured. This droid is equipped with the necessary knowledge for installation. Were should we put it?"
After Hank's answer, the manager presents the dataslab, indicating where Hank and Mercer should affix their signatures—a formality marking the successful completion of their transaction. As the signatures are obtained, the manager offers his congratulations, his demeanor exuding genuine gratitude for their contribution to the smooth operation.
"Congratulations on your first successful delivery," he says, a warm smile gracing his lips.
"Your efforts ensure that the wheels of commerce continue to turn smoothly within our bustling metropolis. Future transactions will be handled using StellarNet, so you probably won't see me again. Safe travels on your next journey, and may fortune favor you along the way."
With a final nod of acknowledgment, the Stellar Express manager departs, leaving Hank and Mercer to continue their duties aboard the Celestial Voyager.
OOC:
This freight delivery will give 19,613 credits to the CV coffers and complete Mercer's contract with Stellar Express. Mercer, receive 300 credits and you can keep the weapons and armor you got from them.
With the Stellar Express manager's departure,
Hank and Mercer turn their attention to the droid carrying the newest StellarNet communication device. Effortlessly, the droid navigates through the ship's corridors to the designated installation point, its movements precise and efficient. As it reaches the designated spot, the droid unfurls a series of appendages, each one designed for a specific task.
With a soft hum, the droid begins the installation process, its mechanical limbs working with remarkable dexterity as it integrates the device into the ship's communication array. Wires are connected, circuits are aligned, and within moments, the installation is complete. The droid emits a cheerful beep, signaling that the task is done. Then, with a graceful turn, the droid exits the ship, its mission accomplished. Hank wastes no time in booting up the interface of the newly installed StellarNet device.
The interface springs to life with a burst of green light, illuminating the screen with a myriad of options. Deals, jobs, and communication channels flicker into view, each one a potential opportunity waiting to be explored. Hank's eyes scan the interface, taking in the wealth of information at his fingertips.
Welcome and thank you for joining us! StellarNet provides a suite of features and tools that can help you connect with thousands of customers and suppliers, including the Stellar Express megacorporation.
Loading...OOC:
The following is almost completely randomized. I rolled the dice in the background.
Weekly dealsTop deals
Adrenal Suppression Pump
$30,000 $24,600
(Save $5,400)
Recommended for you
Armored Undersuit (AC13)
$600 $558
(Save $42)
Best deals - Ships and Fittings
Survey sensor array, for Cruisers
$125,000 $115,000
(Save $10,000)
Transport prisioner to trial at Englene Station (Dianreti system)
Details:
- The prisioner is a suspected murderer and deep-dwelling prophet who considers "the sky" a blasphemy to be quelled.
- He is part of the deep-dwelling sect. There is another sect in Englene Station of the same religion but with opposite views. People in those sects hates each other bitterly.
- He lives in Zyronis but the crime happened at the station, so he is being transported back there.
Rewards:
- $500 credits
- 0.5 tons of religious clothing and arts (Cultural, Religious) - Base price: $10,000 per ton
Once in a lifetime opportunity to own a pre-tech refinery
Details:
- A harried engineer has discovered a partially-complete schematic for an ancient pretech refinery unit that produces vast amounts of edible compounds.
- Several remote chemical-reeking underways on the planet are indicated as having the necessary pretech spare parts required to build the device.
- Underways are vast, inter-continental subterranean tunnels, big enough for a gravcar to enter.
Prerequisites to receive the rewards:
- Have a small corporate headquarters in Zyronis (Cost to estabilish one: 10,000 credits)
- Hire a local NPC manager and put him in charge of all your company operations in the system (another short side quest)
Rewards:
- 49% ownership of the refinery unit. It is expected to produce 1d8 x 10 tons of edible kibble per month (its kibble is a Common, Agricultural product with a base/galactic price of $50/ton)
Rescue a salvage crew stranded near the Forbidden Regions
Rewards:
- $2,000 (crew alive) or $500 (proof of death)
Other possible rewards (extra, not given by the sponsor, no guarantees):
- Drive-4 core that the crew was looking for (Frigate size, worth up to $300,000 credits, takes 24 tons to transport)
- Other salvage (equipment, drones, artifacts, etc)
- New crew members
Tug a Spargel class Heavy Frigate from Zyronis to Englene Station (Dianreti system)
Details:
-
The ship design is available in this link
- The frigate will be unmanned and mothballed. All the weapons and active defense systems will be disabled and it would take a week to hack and fiddle with enough wires and connections to use one without their activation keys (transported by someone else).
- You can temporarily transfer some of the CV's crew and/or synths to it, if you want to, for protection against boarding parties and/or operation of the non-weapons systems (system drives, navigation, life support, armory, etc). Without the weapons and related systems, it just needs 10 crew for basic operation.
Prerequisites:
- A cruiser-class ship with Shiptender mount to tug it.
Rewards:
- $100,000
Cargo: Colonial Survival Supplies
Amount: 61 tons
Destination: Neptunia
Payment: $1,525
Cargo: Fusion Plant parts
Amount: 470 tons
Destination: Englene Station
Payment: $35,250
Cargo: Parts, Basic Industry
Amount: 97 tons
Destination: Englene Station
Payment: $7,275
Cargo: Postech Building Material
Amount: 79 tons
Destination: Neptunia
Payment: $1,975
Cargo: Regular passenger
Amount: 2 people
Destination: Altairia
Payment: $5,100
Cargo: Luxury passenger (need the Luxury cabins ship fitting)
Amount: 1 person
Destination: Castand II
Payment: $10,500
