Mora / Mora

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Jun 24, 2025 2:21 am

Jun 24, 2025 2:21 am

OOC:

Start spreading the news, we're Jumping today
We want to be a part of it, MORA, MORA
Our Vacuum-Suit boots, they are longing to stray
And step around the high orbit, MORA, MORA
I wanna wake up on that planet that never sleeps
And find that Duke on the hill, top of the heap
Your down-port blues, they're melting away
We're gonna make a brand-new start of it, in old MORA
You always make it there, you make it anywhere
It's up to you, MORA, MORA

MORA, a world-name to conjure with. No place like it anywhere in the Spinward Marches. Always abuzz with progress, political intrigue, and commerce. A major trading hub. Highly developed high-tech manufacturing sector. Banking center. Education and Research Centers of the highest repute. This really is THE PLACE TO BE!
-----

May 13, 1115 (Imperium Standard Years), 1602. MISS FORTUNE is in normal space. Sensors and Comms clear, and there are indications of space-vehicles in quantity.

In Engineering, things aren't great. As the jump conversion is completed there is a warning tone from the power-plant computer station. Yellow lights flash. It doesn't seem to be the jump-drive having a problem; its one of the fusion reactor sub-systems that's out-of-spec. The reactor doesn't SCRAM, and no red lights come on. Indicators are that there is something wrong with the power-transfer matrix. Computer advises 10-percent maximum maneuver.... (Diagnosis and Repair dice rolls are probably in order!)

Up on the bridge, the comms are lit up all across the board. 10 channels of ship-to-ship, all in use. All the Starport Authority and Customs/Immigration channels in use. Infotainment feeds from the planet show hundreds of choices. This place is hopping big time in the radio universe.

Passive sensors start showing ships. Outbound, inbound, inter-system. At first one ship, then a dozen, then three dozen...

Nothing dangerously close. Space is a big place, even with lots of ship traffic in it!

Navigation computer gives you an initial "rough plot". You'd hoped to emerge from jump close to the 100 diameter limit; not much more than 1,600,000km out. But it looks like MISS FORTUNE is around 120 diameters out, 1,920,000km. Not bad, but certainly not ideal.

Estimated time to orbit; 8 1/2 hours. (May 14, 0030)

(more to come)

Jun 24, 2025 5:57 pm

Jun 24, 2025 5:57 pm

Diagnosis & Repair rolls below.

OOC:

Tamm has Eng - 2 but no modifiers. If Bronz or another character has a beneficial mod, please roll & Tamm will help. Dave, please retroactively add +1 to these rolls if someone volunteers to help.

Rolls

Diagnosis - (2d6)

(44) = 8

Repair - (2d6)

(16) = 7

Jun 24, 2025 6:04 pm

Jun 24, 2025 6:04 pm

LloganTamm says:

Diagnosis & Repair rolls below.

OOC:

Tamm has Eng - 2 but no modifiers. If Bronz or another character has a beneficial mod, please roll & Tamm will help. Dave, please retroactively add +1 to these rolls if someone volunteers to help.

Frustrated that so soon out of maintenance the Engines are in trouble Bronz offers Tamm aid.

OOC:

Shouldn't these be roll + 2 due to ENG-2? In which case Diagnosis would be 10 + 1 = 11 and Repair 9 + 1 = 10 for Bronz aiding.

Louis Claude Rains "LC"

Jun 24, 2025 7:47 pm

Jun 24, 2025 7:47 pm

BIC: Bridge of Miss Fortune, 1115-05-13, 1602 Hours | Mora System Entry Zone

The shimmer of realspace snapped into clarity outside the forward displays—like a curtain being pulled back on a stage lit in stars.

LC Rains was already on the bridge, standing behind the helm station as the stars resolved into crisp pinpoints and the nav computer quietly chimed:

"JUMP COMPLETE. Location: 1.92 million kilometers from local primary. Maneuver window open."

But before LC could finish his silent victory toast, the comm channels lit up—one after another—like a symphony of chaos. Ship-to-ship. System control. Customs. Advertising. Music. Infotainment feeds. Mora was awake, alive, and loud.

And then the tone.

Bweep. Bweep. Bweep.

From Engineering.

LC’s head turned calmly—he didn’t rush. Rushing was for rookies and panicked crews. His voice keyed smoothly over the shipwide.

"Bridge to Engineering. Tamm—what’ve you got?"

Tamm's reply was curt and competent: a power-transfer matrix issue, 10% maneuver ceiling advised, and Bronz already hands-on.

LC nodded once. Of course they were already on it.

He toggled ship-crew only comms again.

"All crew: we’ve got a minor powerplant anomaly—fusion output’s stable, but we’re running on maneuver limiters until further notice. No threat. No panic. Engineering’s already diagnosing."

He turned in his chair towards Leilani at comms and stated in a friendly but professional tone.

"Professional tone, minimal drama. Notify Mora System Control that we’ve emerged safely, are maneuver-limited due to a non-emergent powerplant issue, and do not require assistance at this time. Advise we will notify if the situation escalates."

Then he looked toward Tharrok at helm.

"Helm, adjust for conservative thrust—10% output. Set approach toward the transition zone. Let’s avoid the Gurrek Belt on the outer track—she’s 7.2 AU out, and we don’t want the tourists rattled."

LC moved to his own station, fingers already dancing across the nav controls. The projection flickered into updated vectors—eight and a half hours to orbit, based on current maneuver power and traffic density.

"Adjusting route," he muttered to himself, "slower burn, tighter arc—thread the lanes between that inbound freighter cluster and that orbital customs net. We’ll reach the transition zone without playing bumper-tag."

Then, toggling internal comms:

"Said-Ma, Kayla—check in on the mid-passage passengers. Give them the calm version of the situation and let them know we’re looking at a longer-than-usual approach. No cause for alarm, just time. Start planning Low Berth revival cycles—we’ll need the timing tight for customs and entry clearance."

As he worked, he toggled in private command messages to the crew.

To Kayla Hong:

Now’s your chance. Reach out to your diplomatic circles discreetly. See if there are any leads on high passage travelers needing urgent off-world movement or anyone looking to arrange diplomatic cargo transfer. Even whispers help.

To Leilani:

Homeworld advantage. Check in with the 73rd Fleet, your dockside family, old pals at shipyards, anyone who might owe you a beer or a bolt. Maintenance crew availability, port slotting priorities, and commercial freight tips—take what you can get.

To Tharrok:

This is your window—send the message to Phelan Markensen. If he’s still flying Trin or Glisten, even a ‘no’ tells us something.

To Self – Marked PRIVATE:

Send encoded comm to the Ecclesiastic Brotherhood of Orney once planetary relay is cleared. Seek news of trade patterns near Palique and Duale, and inquire discreetly about recent ecclesiastic movements through the Mora-Glisten corridor. Attach donation... modest, but respectful.

He took one final sip from his mug, watching the mass of ships swirl like fireflies across the holomap. Miss Fortune was just one more dot—but her path, her crew, and her captain were anything but ordinary.

"Now we dance through traffic," LC murmured to no one in particular, "with style."

Jun 24, 2025 8:52 pm

Jun 24, 2025 8:52 pm

dabaggins says:

LloganTamm says:

Diagnosis & Repair rolls below.

OOC:

Tamm has Eng - 2 but no modifiers. If Bronz or another character has a beneficial mod, please roll & Tamm will help. Dave, please retroactively add +1 to these rolls if someone volunteers to help.

Frustrated that so soon out of maintenance the Engines are in trouble Bronz offers Tamm aid.

OOC:

Shouldn't these be roll + 2 due to ENG-2? In which case Diagnosis would be 10 + 1 = 11 and Repair 9 + 1 = 10 for Bronz aiding.

Yes, good catch!

Today is busy. I'll write in a narrative when I have time

Tamm was expecting trouble since the rough transitions to & from J-space. He runs a set diagnostics as Bronz runs a different set.

"Power couplings," Tamm mutters. "Engineering to Bridge, power couplings X5 through Z6 on reactor 2 are having issues. The ship will have only 10% maneuver thrust until the couplings are repaired or replaced. Engineering is working on the trouble. Will send updates when the systems are restored. Engineering out."

The problem is isolated to one of the matrix channels in the power distribution network has gone out of attunement. Without a starport facility, the problem will take some time to sort out. Tamm doesn't understand why the part has to be removed, programmed then re-installed. This older tech is cheaper than the latest remote re-tuning feature. The previous crew probably got a bargain on the old matrix. Since this problem is unusual, they thought the system would be robust enough to serve.

Tamm & Bronze spend three hours re-tuning the crystal coupling by hand.

Last edited June 25, 2025 1:20 pm

Jun 25, 2025 3:01 am

Jun 25, 2025 3:01 am

One of the matrix channels in the power distribution network has gone out of atunement, Tamm and Bronz believe. A rather rare outage that they can remedy themselves.

Doing the job without the aid of a fully equipped starship maintenance dock is a bit tricky, and time consuming. But not too difficult.

The components tested out as within spec prior to jump. Documentation from the 'yard' at Fornice confirm that it was checked, then double-checked. Tamm and Bronz double checked it, too.

4 hours 'lost'. Revised time to orbit: May 14, 0430.
----------

The 3 mid-passengers have some anxiety over the delay. Does the Captain or Steward communicate with them in any way?

BRIDGE CREW: There is plenty of comm traffic to listen in on, or even join the gossip-mongering among ships. InfoFeeds from Mora, including public trading 'boards' can be accessed, though the information is 'old' by the time MISS FORTUNE recieves it.

Anyone doing anything or just waiting for Engineering to 'clear' for full power?

Jun 25, 2025 3:24 am

Jun 25, 2025 3:24 am

While he is working with Tamm to bring the power distribution network back in line, Bronz mutters under his breath, "I know these were fine... this is so wrong."

Turning to Tamm, voice low but steady. "On my old ship, I’d call this sabotage... and won't be surprised. But here? Stuff like this doesn’t just happen." He glanced around the compartment, eyes sharp.

"Passengers shouldn’t have access to this. You think someone could’ve done it remotely? Or maybe planted something before we left?"

Jun 25, 2025 4:33 am

Jun 25, 2025 4:33 am

dabaggins says:

While he is working with Tamm to bring the power distribution network back in line, Bronz mutters under his breath, "I know these were fine... this is so wrong."

Turning to Tamm, voice low but steady. "On my old ship, I’d call this sabotage... and won't be surprised. But here? Stuff like this doesn’t just happen." He glanced around the compartment, eyes sharp.

"Passengers shouldn’t have access to this. You think someone could’ve done it remotely? Or maybe planted something before we left?"

OOC:

Passengers are isolated on the top deck. It would be difficult for an unauthorized someone to gain access to engineering. Nothing is impossible, of course. There are no completely foolproof security systems. But the "Miss Fortune" is a pretty good design in that regard.

Jun 25, 2025 7:32 am

Jun 25, 2025 7:32 am

Power systems were her speciality, and Leilani really wanted to help. But she knew that too many cooks tended to muddle up a well-run engineering department.

Besides, she couldn't help but be emotional about that little globe that was her home.

"Hello beautiful!" she quietly said, mostly to herself, before doing all the official comms things she'd been tasked with doing.

Last edited June 25, 2025 9:18 pm

Louis Claude Rains "LC"

Jun 25, 2025 3:48 pm

Jun 25, 2025 3:48 pm

playbydave says:

4 hours 'lost'. Revised time to orbit: May 14, 0430.
snip
Anyone doing anything or just waiting for Engineering to 'clear' for full power?

OOC:

Yes, LC is waiting for the all clear from Engineering before full power.

BIC on the Bridge

LC waits as he has trust in his crew and engineering department to give the "Cap't we good for full power", but nothing says I don't trust you like constant comms down to Engineering for a status update. So LC leans back into his chair and taps on the console with his stylist amd looks at his navigational figures, and then what the merchant boards are saying in his spare time, knowing they are no less than tens of hours old. Even with speed of light laser comms.
----------

playbydave says:

The 3 mid-passengers have some anxiety over the delay. Does the Captain or Steward communicate with them in any way?

OOC:

I will await for the Steward and Commerce division lead - Said-Ma to respond first

ACTION
IF 30 minutes go by without any interaction by the crew towards the passengers, LC will intercede by first having Kayla and Said-Ma provide more drinks and food for the passengers, then after a few minutes go down and personally reassure the passengers. I am sure this is not necessary and I am sure the players have not had time to respond with their character actions yet. [/ooc]

playbydave says:

BRIDGE CREW: There is plenty of comm traffic to listen in on, or even join the gossip-mongering among ships. InfoFeeds from Mora, including public trading 'boards' can be accessed, though the information is 'old' by the time MISS FORTUNE receives it.

LC listens to the feeds while the Engineering crew works on the problem, so LC takes advantage of the boards current information and the last 120 days of information and feeds this into the computer and compares this to what projections are being put out by the Merchant info-tainment Holo-trivid channels. This is to see what his projections are matching what the prognosticators are saying, tens if not hundred of hours before. To gain an idea of what goods are selling for profit and which are not.

Roll on his search of information of selling the crew products and buying good: admin-2 INT B

Rolls

Search of information on selling the crew products and buying good - (2D6+3)

(63) + 3 = 12

Mallandyrr Inactive for 13 days

Jun 25, 2025 9:13 pm

Jun 25, 2025 9:13 pm

OOC:

I have been out of pocket and will probably remain so until Sunday night. I am in Kansas until Sunday morning for Country Stampede, a 3 day outdoor concert..

Kayla will do as requested, though probably a little overdressed since she has not acclimated to "normal’ temperatures yet. She is tending to wear a light jacket or sweater. Sometimes long sleeves

Jun 26, 2025 2:01 am

Jun 26, 2025 2:01 am

Tharrok, after setting the course initially for 10% thrust, pipes one of the entertainment feeds over the ship’s speakers at a lowish volume, much like the old Terran Muzak while monitoring the flight path. Like LC, he also waits for the all clear from Engineering. He also begins composing a message to Phelan to try to touch base and see what he can find out.

He looks around, making sure the two of them are alone…

"Hey, LC… I was thinking about our little exit problem… it seems a little — convenient — that it happened now, after departing Jokotre with our new crew member. Do you think it might be a little parting shot from the Brotherhood?"

Louis Claude Rains "LC"

Jun 26, 2025 2:19 am

Jun 26, 2025 2:19 am

LC looks at Tharrok
"That is one way to think of it. We have a while to look at the parts and try to figure out who is responsible. I am also wondering why we would be delayed. "

Jun 26, 2025 9:07 am

Jun 26, 2025 9:07 am

Tharrok crinkles his snout, his ears pinned back. "I don’t like it, Cap. Just don’t seem right we should have a problem two jumps out of a full maintenance and refurbishment. It could just be a coincidence… but I don’t believe in them.". Tharrok forces his ears to relax and changes the subject.

I've got a note set to send to Phelan once we make port. Hopefully, I’ll hear back by the time we make Palique."

Jun 26, 2025 3:14 pm

Jun 26, 2025 3:14 pm

Turning to Tamm, voice low but steady. "On my old ship, I’d call this sabotage... and won't be surprised. But here? Stuff like this doesn’t just happen." He glanced around the compartment, eyes sharp.

"Passengers shouldn’t have access to this. You think someone could’ve done it remotely? Or maybe planted something before we left?"

"Sabotage, Tamm highly doubts it. We will review the security logs though," Tamm replies to Bronz. "Tamm calls it piss poor planning. Just another SNAFU by an in competent crew. Don't know why the starport didn't catch this but it is what it is."
Tamm looks up to see Bronz securing the last screw of the cover of the matrix housing.
"All finished? Good, please notify the bridge we are back to full power."
Tamm hopes allowing Bronz to relay the good news let's him know that Tamm appreciates his hard work.

Last edited June 26, 2025 3:19 pm

Louis Claude Rains "LC"

Jun 26, 2025 3:58 pm

Jun 26, 2025 3:58 pm

Packratt66 says:

Tharrok crinkles his snout, his ears pinned back. "I don’t like it, Cap. Just don’t seem right we should have a problem two jumps out of a full maintenance and refurbishment. It could just be a coincidence… but I don’t believe in them.". Tharrok forces his ears to relax and changes the subject.

I've got a note set to send to Phelan once we make port. Hopefully, I’ll hear back by the time we make Palique."

Packratt66 says:

Tharrok crinkles his snout, his ears pinned back. "I don’t like it, Cap. Just don’t seem right we should have a problem two jumps out of a full maintenance and refurbishment. It could just be a coincidence… but I don’t believe in them.".

BIC: Aboard Miss Fortune, Bridge

LC didn’t answer Tharrok right away. He stood quietly beside the helm, arms folded, eyes drifting across the displays—then finally turned toward the Vargr pilot with a slow nod, his face thoughtful.

"You’re not wrong to feel it in your fur." His tone was low, serious. "Just two jumps out of a full maintenance cycle, and suddenly we’re chasing yellow alerts across the board? The odds, even factoring in unrefined fuel, are barely three percent. 2.8, to be precise."

He rubbed at his chin absently, as if trying to coax the logic out through friction.

"Bronz said the same. Gut says something’s off. And my gut doesn’t usually agree with Bronz unless something’s actually wrong."

He shifted his weight, voice still steady but harder now.

"Now, I don’t think the bank would set us up for failure. That’s self-defeating—hurting their own investment and reputation. But a character like Smugg?" LC’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Sabotage for leverage, a little insurance policy slipped in with the replacement parts? That feels more in his flavor profile. Or maybe someone else..."

LC exhaled slowly through his nose, calculating.

"I’m going to pull Tamm and Bronz aside, see what they’ve seen up close. I want a full diagnostic sweep of the overhaul—every part number, every invoice. If something doesn’t belong, we’ll know."

He glanced toward the lower deck, then added:

"And I’m bringing Leilani in. Her background in the Navy and being an engineering officer may help, after all she knows this ship now—knows the rhythms. If something hums wrong, she’ll hear it."

A final pause, then LC looked Tharrok in the eye.

"We’ll also have a sit-down with Decherrek. He’s quiet, but nothing mechanical slips past him. If someone’s tampered with Miss Fortune, I want it rooted out before it turns into more than a nuisance."

LC turned back toward the console, voice cooling into command mode.

"Thanks for saying it out loud, Tharrok. We can’t afford to ignore instincts—not in a ship this new with ghosts already rattling the bolts."

Packratt66 says:

Tharrok forces his ears to relax and changes the subject.

I've got a note set to send to Phelan once we make port. Hopefully, I’ll hear back by the time we make Palique."

LC gave a short nod at Tharrok’s words, then allowed the hint of a grin to tug at the corner of his mouth.

"Good. I was hoping you’d already teed that up."

He stepped back from the console, hands slipping behind his back as he paced once across the bridge deck.

"you make it sound like Phelan’s the kind of name that moves in the shadows between shipping lanes. If he answers, we might get more than a friendly hello—could be a lead, a shortcut, or just the lay of the land from someone who doesn’t wear a uniform and speak in tariffs."

LC paused, then added, voice a touch more personal:

"And if he doesn’t answer? Well… silence tells a story too. Just make sure your message sounds more like an invitation than a confession."

He offered Tharrok a sidelong glance with a dry smile.

"Either way, you hearing back by Palique would be a damn fine stroke of timing. That far Rimward, we’ll need all the insight we can get—especially if we're about to start playing in Trin's neighborhood."

Louis Claude Rains "LC"

Jun 26, 2025 4:07 pm

Jun 26, 2025 4:07 pm

LloganTamm says:

"All finished? Good, please notify the bridge we are back to full power."
Tamm hopes allowing Bronz to relay the good news let's him know that Tamm appreciates his hard work.

BIC: Lower Deck – Engineering Access Corridor, Miss Fortune
Shortly after systems stabilized post-jump

The soft hum of the deck plating underfoot and the faint ozone scent of live circuitry accompanied LC as he stepped in from the access corridor inside Engineering. He didn’t barge in. He waited—hands clasped, patient, composed—until he saw Tamm emerge from a service crawlspace and Bronz tightening down a panel near the diagnostic terminal.

LC nodded once, sharp but respectful. Then he spoke.

"Gentlemen. Got a moment? This one’s not about a fuse or a fusehead—it’s about patterns."

He stepped into the space between them, arms now crossed.

"We’re two jumps out of a certified overhaul. We’ve been using unrefined fuel, sure, but the odds of this kind of power-transfer matrix failure so soon? Just shy of 3%. Bronz, you said it didn’t sit right. Tharrok agreed. So do I."

His tone was steady—not accusatory, not paranoid. Focused.

"I want a full diagnostic sweep of the overhaul—start to finish. Every part that was replaced, check every part number. Every service invoice. Every bolt if we have to."

He looked to Tamm, then Bronz in turn.

"I don’t care if it was stamped and sealed by a Sector-certified inspector wearing a Saint Dulin's halo—if something’s out of spec, we find it. If something was swapped, we trace it. Quietly. Efficiently. Like professionals."

A brief pause, then a slight narrowing of LC’s eyes.

"This doesn’t feel like bank interference—that’d be messy and bad for business. But Smugg? Slipping in a failsafe to keep us leaning on his ‘generosity’? That tracks. And I don’t like being a mark in someone else’s confidence game. Or someone not yet identified could be responsible. "

LC took a step back and nodded toward the flickering main reactor readouts.

"Leilani’s already getting looped in to crosscheck. I want clean copies of every systems log from the last two jumps. If you find something wrong, or just something weird, bring it to me direct."

Then, with a hint of dry humor at the edge of his voice:

"If I’m wrong, I owe you both a bottle. If I’m right... well, I’d prefer to know before anything starts venting fire in zero-G."

He turned to leave, then paused, glancing back.

"Thanks, both of you. I don’t ask this kind of sweep lightly. But this ship isn’t just steel and systems anymore. She’s home. Let’s keep her that way. So a good time hack maybe in order of how long this will take. "

Louis Claude Rains "LC"

Jun 26, 2025 4:14 pm

Jun 26, 2025 4:14 pm

BIC: Engineering Alcove, Aft Deck – Miss Fortune
Mid-cycle, system approach to Mora

The low lighting of the diagnostic station threw long shadows across the tools laid out on the magnetic bench. Readouts hummed, softly scrolling streams of engineering logs, part specs, and fuel mix data across the primary console.

Leilani stood there alone—half-stirred mug in hand, brows furrowed slightly as the displays flicked past in Imperial-standard font. The sound of boots behind her was soft but deliberate.

LC stepped in, arms tucked behind his back as always, posture relaxed—but his eyes were sharp.

"Got a moment, Leilani?"

He didn’t wait for the formal nod. He stopped beside her and gave the display a glance, then looked to her with quiet respect.

"You’ve probably already seen the anomalies logged from the matrix—Tamm and Bronz are on it now. But I want your eyes on the reports too. Not just the real-time data—dig into the overhaul itself. Every part replaced, every system calibrated. Something’s off."

He stepped a little closer and dropped his voice just a touch, voice even.

"Tharrok thinks so. Bronz too. And frankly? So do I. Two jumps out of yard and we’ve got power-flow inconsistencies? It doesn’t feel right."

He turned, tapping a knuckle gently against the bulkhead near the console.

"I don’t think the fault’s in their work—it’s in what they were working with. If someone swapped out a substandard module, tampered with a system, or left a hidden leash wired into the architecture, I want it found before we’re doing evasive burns through a starport’s customs net."

His tone shifted, just slightly—more trusting now.

"You’ve got Imperial quals. You know what corners ‘Merchies’ cut when they’re not looking. If someone buried a time-delay fault into a junction box or a surge bleed into a redundant loop, I want your instincts on it."

He gave her a faint smile, dry and lopsided.

"Not asking you to second-guess the lads—just to look where they might not. And if you find something odd… bring it to me first."

He started to turn to go, then paused.

"Oh—and if you need to requisition time, tools, or anyone’s patience to make it happen? You’ve got it."

A subtle pause, then a quiet finish:

"This ship’s been good to us so far. Let’s return the favor."

Louis Claude Rains "LC"

Jun 26, 2025 4:24 pm

Jun 26, 2025 4:24 pm

BIC: Crew Galley – 4th Hour Into Mora System Approach
Ship Time: 2015 hrs | 4 hours until orbit entry

The ship’s systems hummed at a soft idle. Outside, stars drifted in a slow arc past the forward ports, while Mora’s distant sun flared gently in the distance. Within Miss Fortune, the pace had settled—cargo secured, systems nominal, and the crew stealing a rare moment to gather and breathe.

The galley was warm with quiet conversation and the aroma of strong stim brew. Kaffe mugs, ration biscuits, and the occasional odd-smelling Vargr snack were spread across the table. LC Rains stood near the recessed wall monitor, one hand on the back of a chair, the other slowly swirling a spoon in a chipped white mug.

He glanced around the table, noting that everyone was present: Tamm, Bronz, Tharrok, Leilani, Kayla, Said-Ma—and hovering silently above, Decherrek, his lens calmly whirring as he observed the ship’s internal gravity pulse with something like idle curiosity.

LC tapped the spoon twice on the mug’s rim—soft, not commanding. Just enough to gather attention.

"All right, crew—don’t put down your mugs, this isn’t a briefing. But I wanted us all to get a few thoughts on the record before we hit final approach."

He looked up at Decherrek, voice still friendly.

"Decherrek... you’ve been quiet, and I get it. Observation’s your strength. But we’ve had our share of hiccups since launch—power irregularities, drive inefficiencies, anomalies popping up that shouldn’t be, especially for a ship that just rolled out of overhaul."

LC’s tone remained light, but intentional.

"Now, we’re not pointing fingers. But you’ve been around longer than any of us in terms of spacefaring cycles. I imagine you’ve seen how these things play out—especially with remortgaged ships, fresh bank charters, and crews who just signed on the dotted line."

He gestured loosely toward the others.

"We’re hoping you’d be willing to share any insights. Patterns you’ve seen. Cases like ours. Quiet tampering, corporate ‘fail-safes,’ smuggler insurance policies... anything."

A beat.

"We trust your judgment. And right now, your experience might help us see something that isn’t logged in the engineering reports."

LC took his seat at the table, leaned forward on his elbows.

"Just looking for perspective. Friendly conversation. Not interrogation."

He smiled faintly, looking to the rest of the crew.

"Anyone else have questions for our archivist-in-residence?"

OOC:

Hey players! This leaves a natural opening for all characters to respond — Leilani and Bronz from the technical angle, Tharrok from the experience angle, Kayla from the political side, and Said-Ma from the logistics or crew welfare angle.

Jun 27, 2025 12:15 pm

Jun 27, 2025 12:15 pm

Leilani listened to her captain, she'd still been getting used to the more relaxed style of command over navy life, but to pull this, they must consider it something serious.

"You got it Captain!" no need to create any kind of conflict

Going to the Engineering, she smiled friendly at them, this was their domain and she wasn't about to try and impinge on their territory.

"So my old Commander always said two important things. Never assign to malice that which you can to incompetence. And always look for the crooked logistics guy!" she grabbed a spare engineering tablet and looked through the data

"I'm thinking we've been passed off some dodgy parts at one of our last few stops. Unless I'm well off base obviously?

Jun 27, 2025 6:25 pm

Jun 27, 2025 6:25 pm

"So my old Commander always said two important things. Never assign to malice that which you can to incompetence. And always look for the crooked logistics guy!"

"That is good advice from your Commander."

"I'm thinking we've been passed off some dodgy parts at one of our last few stops. Unless I'm well off base obviously?

"That is a possibility," Tamm replied. "But, it's a waste tof time to try to track it."

Last edited June 27, 2025 6:29 pm

Jun 28, 2025 2:41 am

Jun 28, 2025 2:41 am

OOC:

Rin is still aboard as a crew member, but lets it be known that he will be Leaving the MISS FORTUNE at Mora.

"Sorry everyone, but this Free Trader gig just doesn't fit for me. I'm a lot more comfortable with a regular pay check and a Guild Berth, even if there isn't so much potential for profit. Think I can get my ship-share refunded? I'm not asking for salary or share of profits; just a simple refund. Can you manage that? It would help me a lot!"

Jun 28, 2025 3:04 am

Jun 28, 2025 3:04 am

Bronz glanced between Leilani and Tamm. Maybe it was just cheap parts. He wouldn’t rule it out. Might even be more common on legit gigs like this. But back in his old life, being too trusting usually meant waking up with a knife in your side... if you woke up at all.

So he said nothing, let them follow their thinking, and quietly kept the other possibilities in mind.

"If it’s just shoddy parts, shouldn’t take long to trace where the failure started. And if we find something else while we’re in there… well, at least we’ll know what we’re dealing with."

Jun 28, 2025 3:05 am

Jun 28, 2025 3:05 am

Infotainment channels all have the same lead story: Food & Beverage Workers Union is threatening a work slowdown or possibly even a full 'strike' of the main starport within the week if the main vendor, Bulwark Services Ltd, doesn't pledge to improve working conditions and upgrade employee quarters. Commentators note that a strike two standards past resulted in the company pledging improvements, but labor representatives claim that the promises were only partially fulfilled. "We're not wanting more pay or better medical; that's covered. But the housing on the station continues to be substandard. And working conditions are terrible! No increase in pay would be worth putting up with the crap we have to! There's too much credit-pinching and not enough concern for Sophonts!"

Mora's main stock market is showing steady increases over the past 6 months; nothing spectacular but a big improvement from the long-lasting recession that accompanied the end of the 5th Frontier War. Labor market is moderately weak and unemployment stands at around 7-percent, a point down from a year ago. The asteroid-belt mining outlook is good, with new capital investement from "Sternmetal Horizons" an Imperium MegaCorporation of some renown.

Mora's premier league Grav-Disc team (The Comets) is currently in second place in the subsector, and will be traveling to Pallique for the championship tournament. Fornice's team (Star Dust) is in first and favored to win the championship. Betting volume is heavy, with "The Comets" currently getting favorable 2:1 odds.

Jun 28, 2025 3:11 am

Jun 28, 2025 3:11 am

dabaggins says:

Bronz glanced between Leilani and Tamm. Maybe it was just cheap parts. He wouldn’t rule it out. Might even be more common on legit gigs like this. But back in his old life, being too trusting usually meant waking up with a knife in your side... if you woke up at all.

So he said nothing, let them follow their thinking, and quietly kept the other possibilities in mind.

"If it’s just shoddy parts, shouldn’t take long to trace where the failure started. And if we find something else while we’re in there… well, at least we’ll know what we’re dealing with."

Engineering Log shows the parts in question were installed (replaced) nearly four standards past at Byret/Mora during a full yearly maintenance. Their expected life-span is 8 or more years, so they were well within their expected use range. The energy transfer matrix is a robust system and failure is unusual to the point of being 'rare'. Part serial numbers indicate they were manufacture by a subsidiary of Ling Standard Products. (If you wish to investigate further, please describe what you want to do and give an appropriate dice roll!)

Jun 28, 2025 3:26 am

Jun 28, 2025 3:26 am

Bronz scanned the engineering logs, eyes narrowing as he tapped the date of the last check. He raised an eyebrow but kept his thoughts to himself.

Turning to Leilani, he said, "This’s more your specialty. Once we dock, let’s tear it down and make sure there aren’t any more ‘rare failures’ waiting to hit us."

OOC:

What Bronz idea is when the engines are completely shut down to open them up and make sure the proper parts are in place and look like they have the expected wear, but also if there is anything there that doesn’t see as if it shouldn’t be.

I expect this is ENG-2 + INT and +1 if anyone assists.

Rolls

Check Engines for parts and wear (ENG2+INT) - (2d6+2+1)

(66) + 3 = 15

Jun 28, 2025 7:17 pm

Jun 28, 2025 7:17 pm

A "complete teardown" (inspection) of the power-plant and maneuver drives will take several days (possibly more than a week) and requires the services of a dockyard. If Bronz proposes only doing what can be done by the crew without outside help, it will still take several days and will not qualify as "complete". If the power-plant has to be shut down that means the ship will be effectively 'dead' for whatever time it takes to make the inspections. This is not a simple or quick procedure!

OOC:

No such thing as a free lunch!

Louis Claude Rains "LC"

Jun 28, 2025 10:48 pm

Jun 28, 2025 10:48 pm

playbydave says:

OOC:

Rin is still aboard as a crew member, but lets it be known that he will be Leaving the MISS FORTUNE at Mora.

"Sorry everyone, but this Free Trader gig just doesn't fit for me. I'm a lot more comfortable with a regular pay check and a Guild Berth, even if there isn't so much potential for profit. Think I can get my ship-share refunded? I'm not asking for salary or share of profits; just a simple refund. Can you manage that? It would help me a lot!"

Miss Fortune Crew Galley – 3.5 Hours Before Orbit, Mora System

LC set his mug down with a soft clink, having just listened to Rin’s request with a steady expression. No visible surprise, no disappointment—just the faint trace of a resigned, knowing smile. He gave a small nod before replying.

"Rin… I appreciate you being up front about it. Life on a Free Trader isn’t for everyone—it’s a mix of risk, duct tape, and prayer. If you’ve got a steadier berth lined up through the Guild, I don’t blame you for taking it."

He leaned back slightly, folding his arms.

"Now, about that ship-share…"
He let the words sit a moment before continuing, evenly but firmly.

"Our charter's pretty clear: shares represent equity, not deposits. That said—we’ve still got your full 62,000 credits intact in escrow. You haven’t drawn against it, and you’re not asking for profit, which I respect."

LC inclined his head just slightly.

"I’ll authorize the refund in full when we reach Mora Highport. Once we dock, and you've signed the release paperwork, you'll get your credits back clean—no red tape."

He offered a brief, genuine smile.

"Thanks for pulling your weight while you were aboard, Rin. You were steady, reliable, and no drama—which puts you in rare company. If the Guild doesn’t keep you busy, you know how to reach us."

He extended a hand across the table.

"Safe ports and clear lanes, Mister Bauer."

Jun 28, 2025 11:14 pm

Jun 28, 2025 11:14 pm

dabaggins says:

Bronz scanned the engineering logs, eyes narrowing as he tapped the date of the last check. He raised an eyebrow but kept his thoughts to himself.

OOC:

What Bronz idea is when the engines are completely shut down to open them up and make sure the proper parts are in place and look like they have the expected wear, but also if there is anything there that doesn’t see as if it shouldn’t be.

The GM wrote:

playbydave says:

A "complete teardown" (inspection) of the power-plant and maneuver drives will take several days (snip) This is not a simple or quick procedure!

OOC:

I was expecting the Engineering division to conduct something along the lines of a diagnostics Bit-In-Test (D-BIT) sometimes called a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) on the engineering systems for the Power-Plant, J-Drive and M-Drive.
The FMEA is a procedure for analyzing each potential failure mode in a product to determine the local and end effects of a failure on the product. When the analysis is extended to classify each potential failure mode according to its severity and probability of occurrence, it is called a Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA). The FMECA provides failure modes, failure detection methods, and severities associated with a product. The FMECA also identifies when the effects of a failure can be detected using BIT. The alternative to utilizing a FMECA are to develop BIT tests based on knowledge of how the product works, and not whether a BIT test needs to be developed for a particular fault that is critical to product performance. This type of testing is a standard we built in with our materiel developer after a Vendor for a OPFOR radar system did not meet performance specs and the Materiel Developer had to go through Army Acquisition Command to have the vendor released from contract for not meeting the parameters in the contract for the product. We had the materiel developer institute this for all products after this. That was due to the out materiel developer built testing command products and they were not use to building products for training that had to have a standard of reliability for multiple and repeated use. Not like the testing community that may use the Threat product once or twice for testing. This is a standard in military and aerospace trouble shooting as most if not all components are Line-Replaceable-Units (LRUs). I made the error in seeing the problem from my experience and not others. Sorry, I should set out expectations so we don't have the team taking apart the ship's components to the J-Drive that we don't need to. I was sort of expecting the Engineers look at the data from the normal BIT and D-BIT and then put the data into a historical D-BIT for the ship (should be in the logs) and then run a FMECA program to see if there is LRU that is out-of-tolerance or is sending/reporting something/data that is not right. THEN when we get to the port we can schedule to go to a shipyard and have the LRU removed and then sent in for complete end-to-end testing against factory specs.

So my idea was: out of Jump enroute to Mora, we do the FMECA-style log analysis. Once at Mora, we offload cargo and passengers, run a full diagnostic in port, and—if needed—have the yard pull and test the suspect LRU under factory conditions.

Thanks, and I appreciate everyone’s patience while I recalibrate between my real-world experience and our shared game setting!

Last edited June 28, 2025 11:19 pm

Louis Claude Rains "LC"

Jun 28, 2025 11:24 pm

Jun 28, 2025 11:24 pm

Once LC is getting the information;

BIC: Engineering Galley Alcove – En Route to Mora, Hour 4
LC speaks to Tamm, Bronz, and Leilani as he reviews the diagnostic displays over his shoulder, mug in hand.

"Here’s what I want, folks—nothing invasive yet. We’re not tearing open drives unless we have to and I don't think you ever advocated for that."

He glances between them, calm but serious.

"Start with the onboard BIT logs for the powerplant, maneuver, and jump systems. Pull the historical D-BIT reports tied to the overhaul work. Look for any anomalies—out-of-tolerance values, unflagged degradation, or mismatched serials on LRUs."

He taps the console with two fingers, then looks at Leilani, then to Bronz and then finally to Tamm to signify he is the lead.

"Crosscheck them with the manufacturer tolerances if they’re on file. I want us thinking like we’re building a failure analysis—what could’ve gone wrong, where it shows up in the logs, and how we catch it before it becomes a problem."

He looks to Leilani last, more thoughtfully.

"You’ve seen how the Navy does this. Anything that smells wrong to your ears or instincts—chase it. Merchies don’t always look where you do."

With a quiet breath and a dry smile, LC steps back.

"If this is just bad luck, we’ll find nothing. If it’s something else... I want to catch it while we still have orbital velocity and not drift."

HE then pauses and says;
"I appreciate your hard work on this."

Jun 28, 2025 11:35 pm

Jun 28, 2025 11:35 pm

OOC:

I'm wanting to take the Engineering discussion out of this thread and into the rules discussion topic/heading. I've just gotten started with that. But I think the bottom line is that the game functions at a very abstract level and is FICTION. The main problem I see is aligning my preconceptions and imaginings with yours so that we avoid "gotcha" moments and associated bad feelings. The main thing remaining for this thread is character expectations: ie what benefit do the characters believe their efforts might achieve?

Note: MISS FORTUNE has just come out of a Yearly Maintenance, thus it can be expected to work well. BUT nothing as complex as a starship is completely immune to problems. There's always something.....

Jun 29, 2025 2:31 am

Jun 29, 2025 2:31 am

OOC:

I'm fine with the revised suggested plan of action. As an engineer Bronz would have known what the proper steps were.

Just hoping that my dice roll still applies. :)

Jun 29, 2025 4:36 am

Jun 29, 2025 4:36 am

"Well, I used to serve on the bigger ships, so we'd kick in the second power plant and take the original offline!" she gave a embarrassed little shrug

Though not want to leave it at that, and added after thinking for a few minutes.

"Though Mora is a Class A port, and has a naval base. So we might be able to borrow some time on their virtual testing systems. It won't be quite as thorough as stripping things down, but it'll help narrow things down substantially and be much quicker. But..." she gave the old Terran intake of breath when an engineer was about to talk about expensive, "... going to probably cost us a big favour. So we can figure something else out if you don't want to deal with the Navy in any way."

Jun 29, 2025 12:12 pm

Jun 29, 2025 12:12 pm

Muns says:

dabaggins says:

Bronz scanned the engineering logs, eyes narrowing as he tapped the date of the last check. He raised an eyebrow but kept his thoughts to himself.

OOC:

What Bronz idea is when the engines are completely shut down to open them up and make sure the proper parts are in place and look like they have the expected wear, but also if there is anything there that doesn’t see as if it shouldn’t be.

The GM wrote:

playbydave says:

A "complete teardown" (inspection) of the power-plant and maneuver drives will take several days (snip) This is not a simple or quick procedure!

OOC:

I was expecting the Engineering division to conduct something along the lines of a diagnostics Bit-In-Test (D-BIT) sometimes called a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) on the engineering systems for the Power-Plant, J-Drive and M-Drive.
The FMEA is a procedure for analyzing each potential failure mode in a product to determine the local and end effects of a failure on the product. When the analysis is extended to classify each potential failure mode according to its severity and probability of occurrence, it is called a Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA). The FMECA provides failure modes, failure detection methods, and severities associated with a product. The FMECA also identifies when the effects of a failure can be detected using BIT. The alternative to utilizing a FMECA are to develop BIT tests based on knowledge of how the product works, and not whether a BIT test needs to be developed for a particular fault that is critical to product performance. This type of testing is a standard we built in with our materiel developer after a Vendor for a OPFOR radar system did not meet performance specs and the Materiel Developer had to go through Army Acquisition Command to have the vendor released from contract for not meeting the parameters in the contract for the product. We had the materiel developer institute this for all products after this. That was due to the out materiel developer built testing command products and they were not use to building products for training that had to have a standard of reliability for multiple and repeated use. Not like the testing community that may use the Threat product once or twice for testing. This is a standard in military and aerospace trouble shooting as most if not all components are Line-Replaceable-Units (LRUs). I made the error in seeing the problem from my experience and not others. Sorry, I should set out expectations so we don't have the team taking apart the ship's components to the J-Drive that we don't need to. I was sort of expecting the Engineers look at the data from the normal BIT and D-BIT and then put the data into a historical D-BIT for the ship (should be in the logs) and then run a FMECA program to see if there is LRU that is out-of-tolerance or is sending/reporting something/data that is not right. THEN when we get to the port we can schedule to go to a shipyard and have the LRU removed and then sent in for complete end-to-end testing against factory specs.

So my idea was: out of Jump enroute to Mora, we do the FMECA-style log analysis. Once at Mora, we offload cargo and passengers, run a full diagnostic in port, and—if needed—have the yard pull and test the suspect LRU under factory conditions.

Thanks, and I appreciate everyone’s patience while I recalibrate between my real-world experience and our shared game setting!

OOC:

with what you said, I gotta wonder if you know any of the ADA instructors at Sill! 😝

Jun 30, 2025 4:18 am

Jun 30, 2025 4:18 am

OOC:

Bronz's dice roll still applies! Timeline would be:

First Day: Arrival and docking. All hands on deck, help with passengers as well as 'normal' securing M-drive and refreshing/inspecting other systems (life-support, gravitics, etc. So no getting to the "tear down" until the following day.

Second Day: In lieu of helping with commercial activity or taking personal leave, the Engineering Crew performs a full systems check starting with the power-plant and power distribution systems (where the current fault occurred. That will take (GM fiat) 30 sophont-hours, ie with 3 crew it will take a full day of work. Additional systems checks can be performed with each major system taking the same amount of time. So, for instance, a full check of the Maneuver Drive will take another day...

Each work-day dedicated to Engineering tasks other than the standard first day and last day in port reduces the number of commerce related tasks the Engineering Crew can perform. Currently that means 1 of 3 possible commerce-tasks has been lost. Additional days dedicated to Engineering will take away additional tasks or personal leave time.

Tamm had the Engineering Section do a similar sort of thorough check upon taking possession of the ship from the Bank of Fornice. So most of what you find simply confirms what has already been logged. Components look good, are all within their expected life-spans, and everything is up to 'spec'. Bronz has confidence in the finding of no component issues at this time.

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