This past Saturday (June 28th) at 7pm Central, I was fortunate enough to participate in Josh's SpaceStein. When he originally posted about it, I wasn't very interested for two main reasons: 1) I'm not much of a sci-fi person and 2) I had never played Traveller before. After a bit of light badgering I acquiesced and dove into the rules to get myself ready for the game, and I sure am glad I did that, it was one for the ages!
Enter Lt. Hootonius
The first character I rolled up wasn't much, but had some interesting potential. A 2 term veteran of the Space Navy, he was intelligent, educated, a social climber, but relatively weak, undexterous, and average endurance. On his second term he was commissioned an officer and promoted to Lieutenant, but on his re-enlistment had been politely but firmly told his services were no longer needed; I imagine he made some dreadful error that forced him into early retirement. He left the Navy with 55k Credits, a Blade, and skills in Computer-1, Gunnery-1, and Auto-Pistol-1. He was contacted by P. B. Ricks to join the crew of the Sun Shredder, a small courier vessel on it's way to URF Station to locate some missing packages, in exchange for the passage Hootonius was asked to code up an anti-hijacking program to make sure that the passengers aboard didn't try to steal the ship. On the voyage in, a distress signal was picked up, and a lone survivor was brought aboard, due to lack of space in the Sun Shredder he had to spend the rest of the ride to URF Station in the airlock.
As we traveled to URF Station, we reached transmission range and picked up some unsettling rumors about our destination: corruption, dying miners, skilljackers, the works. Hootonius also received an encoded message from my employer, the Tharsis Corporation, informing him of his goals once aboard the station, which if successful would land him a lucrative job with the company: 1) Find the Golden Spore and escape with it; 2) Find the Designer Combat Drugs; 3) Do not allow anyone to connect Tharsis to the dead miners or skilljackings. I was also informed that there would be other Tharsis operatives aboard to help me in achieving these goals, they were to be identified by correctly responding to the phrase "Open the pod bay doors, Hal." with "Now get your ass to Mars."
We soon arrived at URF, and upon disembarking were met in the Hangar Bay by other Travellers as well as the officials of the Station. Marshall Garrick Stone (SNUFKIN) confiscated all non-bladed weapons and informed us of the rules of the Station, he then took the players with Medical experience to the Med Bay to get their opinions on some of the recently deceased miners. The rest of us filtered over to the Casino and various other interest points in the Station. Almost immediately upon arriving in the Casino, the two Barons had begun a spat amongst themselves over standard aristocratic non-sense. Baron von Weltraumsfelsner had insulted the honor of Baron Kane, calling him an upjumped peasant, satisfaction was demanded and the two squared off with blades drawn to defend their personal honor. Those of us in attendance were quick to lay wagers on who we thought would draw first blood, Hootonius had his money on the Teutonic Titan Weltraumsfelsner. After several rounds of thrusts, parries, ripostes, and narrow misses; the eager spectators doubled down on their bets against these two equally skilled opponents. At last after several minutes of exciting fencing, Baron Kane went wide while Weltraumsfelsner's blade found purchase in the meat of Kane's thigh, the duel was ended and Hootonius several hundred Credits richer. Baron Kane non-chalantly adjourned to a table, his leg still bleeding, as he nursed a space whiskey and waited for a medic to attend to him. He briefly talked with P. B. Ricks and discovered that he too was looking for something, a package of some sort, perhaps he was also on the hunt for the Spore and the Drugs, maybe even an ally or at worst a possible patsy. The excitement having died down, Hootonius decided now was the time to begin snooping around the Station, but first he needed to recover his Auto-Pistol from the Marshall's Office so that he could use the silencer he had concealed in his uniform to eliminate any one who got in his way.
He successfully picked the lock to the Marshall's Office, but neglected to close the door behind him, and inside he saw three weapons lockers and tried his hand at opening them, searching for his confiscated pistol. He picked open the middle locker and saw the Marshall's Weapons cache for deputizing the station, 4 shotguns and 4 blades... too conspicuous. Next he tried the right hand locker, and as the tumbler slipped the faint smell of high explosive powder wafted from the lock. Hootonius decided against turning himself into a fine pink mist, and went to open the left hand locker, the tumbler slipped the locker door cracked open when he heard steps behind him... Lance Corporal Sneed of the Space Scouts. Panic-stricken, Hootonius laid every line of bullshit he could think of, trying to explain away the obvious, that he was up to no good. He somehow managed to convince Sneed that he was simply scared after Guy Vickers had made some statements about wishing to brawl in the Casino, how Hootonius was a frail man and no match for the Army Veteran so hoped to be able to defend himself with his pistol if needed. Sneed took pity on Hootonius and allowed him to leave on the promise that he would stay clear of Vickers and any trouble, Sneed also promised to keep quiet about Hootonius' poor judgement and indiscretion, but declined his offer of a drink at the Casino instead staying behind to guard the now vulnerable gun lockers in the Marshall's Office.
Flustered and unsure of how to accomplish his goals of eliminating any threats to Tharsis without his silenced pistol, he went back into the Casino. P. B. Ricks approached him, asked to speak in private, Hootonius followed him to a back room of the Casino. Ricks informed him that he thinks the package he is looking for is somewhere on the Station and that he's assembling a team to find and recover it. Knowing that there were other Tharsis agents aboard, Hootonius decided to test the waters in his thick Space German accent, "have you ever herd ze story of ze zwei astronauts who vere locked out in ze airlock? Und von says to ze other, very funny now open ze pod bay doors, Hal?" Ricks looked puzzled and certain he didn't like where this was going "uh no man, never heard that one..." as he opened a bag revealing a shiny helmet inside, slowly drawing it from the bag. "Are you one of zose, how you say... Psykers?" Hootonius asked nervously. "Nah man, I thought you might be one... look I don't think this is gonna work... keep your distance from me... I'd hate to have to do something I'd regret after that work you did for the Shredder on the way over here," Ricks said in his jive accent. Ricks left Hootonius, surely spreading the word amongst his team that I was not to be trusted.
Dejected, worried his cover had been blown, Hootonius finished his space whiskey, wondering who could be his contact. It struck him that the Station Manager Gustav Fehlinger was a representative of Tharsis Corp, and surely would be informed that agents of the company were coming aboard to search for the Spore and Drugs and help cover up the for the dead miners and skilljackings. He went into the hall to search for him, walking past the Marshall's Office, where Sneed still stood, now armed with an Auto-Rifle and a badge. "Herr Sneed, I see you have been deputized, I zank you for your discretion over my foolishness." Sneed responded curtly, "yeah I haven't told anyone yet, but the Marshall's looking for whoever broke in here, it'd probably be best for you to go fess up before he finds out." "Ja a gut idea, zank you," Hootonius replied, as he finished his sentence in came Fehlinger who began inquiring something of the Deputy; Hootonius was too distracted to pay attention, trying to figure out how to get Fehlinger alone without arising the suspicions of Sneed. "Herr Fehlinger, may I have un moment of you time, you represent Tharsis yes? I have something to discuss with you, if you please."
The two adjourned to the now empty Casino, Fehlinger rambling about the goings on of the Station, the trouble with the miners, his fast talk only punctuated by constant sniffles, his eyes darting around as a man possessed by the finest uppers a man could acquire on such a remote station. "Herr Fehlinger I need your assistance... but first I must ask you, have you herd ze tale of ze astronauts on ze airlock? Vhere one says to ze other 'Please open ze pod bay doors, Hal?'" "Ja," responds Fehlsinger, "un ze other says 'now get your ass to Mars'?" "Genau," says Hootonius excitedly, "I need your assistance in recovering my veapon from ze Marshall's Office... I have been zent to assist in keeping things quiet about ze dead miners... I have an auto-pistol in ze lockers, but my silencer is in my pocket... it vill make zings easier for me if I have it... as you can see I'm not a strong man," Hootonius informs the Manager, hoping he'll be able to use his influence on the Station to allow Hootonius to recover his pistol and complete his mission.
"Unfortunately... he refuses to do anyzing vithout orders from that Dummkopf Marhsall... but perhaps we can over power him... zere are zwei of us und only ein of him," Fehlinger responds. Both men have blades and a plan is formed, a risky one for sure, but the chance of success seems good, surprise is on their side. However, no sooner do the two men reach the ajar door of the Marshall's Office, than Fehlinger words drip with menace "zis is your last varning, Sneed..." As soon as the word's leave the Manager's lips, Sneed levels his Auto-Rifle sending a hail of gunfire toward the two men. Hootonius doesn't have time to even react before the bullets tear into him. He and Fehlinger are unconscious and bleeding out when a crackle comes over a concealed communicator in Fehlinger's pocket "Fehlinger.... we have found it...". As soon as the message ends, Sneed gives both men a coup-de-grace and their worlds fade to black.
Enter Sir Reginald
Hieronymous bid everyone a good game and good night after the death of his character. I was intrigued to see what would transpire, Josh told me to roll up a new character and wait for goals and instructions, he would be waking from cryo-sleep in one of the ships and would re-enter with late arrival Leon Harvey. During the battle in the Marshall's Office the Free Trader Ferigno had been discovered listing off the Station, it's crew apparently massacred. Sir Reginald's goals would be: 1) Find out more about the hijackers and bring them to justice; 2) Find out what happened to the Ferigno, if it is functioning, make it aboard as a crewmember; 3) Locate the Golden Spore and escape with it. The quickly generated character I rolled was of average strength and dexterity, but with low endurance, certainly no brawler; he was reasonably intelligent, well educated, and of minor nobility (a Knight), he served one term aboard a Merchant where he was made 4th Officer, he had skills in Bribery-1, Medical-1, and Piloting-1, 25k Credits and an Auto-Pistol, Blade, and Dagger.
He stepped out onto the Hangar Bay where Lt. Hyades was waiting, guarding the Sun Shredder. Ricks had obviously informed him of Hootonius' intentions and Sir Reginald was immediately threatened (NOTE: in a game where Disguise Kits are on the standard equipment list, when rolling a new character remove your gamer handle to avoid situations like this), it took lots of convincing and some minor cowardice to convince Hyades of my story, no words would do and when he threatened to Reginald harm, he ran as fast as he could to the Marhsall's Office to turn in his weapon passing by a crowded and excited Casino.
In the Casino, I tried to regain my bearings, it seemed much had transpired between Hootonious' death what felt like moments before and now. Sir Reginald introduced himself to the assembled players and bought a round of space whiskey, claiming it helped "put the lead back in his pencil" after a long sore cryo-sleep in low passage. Soon Ricks entered with some others who had recently returned from the Ferigno, and rumors started flying as to what was transpiring on the listing ship. Apparently something had wiped out the crew and damaged the main drive, but otherwise the ship was in decent shape and could be limped to a repair facility. Sir Reginald inquired about if it had been hijacked, and was informed that some form of poisonous gas had killed the crew aboard, possibly a leak from the damaged jump drive. Discussion in the Casino also turned to salvage rights, and Guy Vickers claimed to know a guy in the the next sub-system who could scrap it. Sir Reginald, however was convinced that it could be made good and if the proper paperwork was acquired, made a legal trader again. Sir Reginald made an offer to Ricks, if the Ferigno was salvageable, the two could go into a partnership, expanding operations from just the small Sun Shredder to include the larger cargo ship. Ricks and the recently returned men soon left to discuss the findings with the Marshall and others more knowledgeable about the rights of salvage and repair down in the Engineering Bay. After they had left, Sir Reginald realized there was a man here in the casino who could help his newfound goal of ownership of a Free Trader, the Baron Kane! He quickly inquired about the Baron writing out a space affidavit attesting to the status of Ferigno as an abandoned hulk and placing it's title into my hands for transport to a repair facility and if no claimant was found to the ship, my eventual ownership!
Sir Reginald soon took leave to head down to the Cargo Bay and see if another Ship's Boat was available to head out and investigate the Ferigno for himself, it gnawed at him that something about Ricks' story wasn't adding up quite right, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Why would there be such damage, what could've caused it, why was Ricks seemingly so secretive about what he saw up there...
When he entered the Hangar Bay, a fight was in progress between Inquisitor Eilon Mux and Reginald Feathering PhD, it was clear Feathering was done for, he quickly hurried on to Cargo to not invoke the ire of Mux. There he was able to find another Ship's Boat, and quickly other's joined him eager to see the Ferigno for themselves and escape from the threatened decompression of the Engineering Bay. So much for secrecy. In his new company was Baron Kane, Medic Kane (no relation), Lt. Col. Cooper, and Lt Col. Max Force, they floated out to the listing Ferigno and once aboard investigated the ship. Mysteriously empty and despite the jump drive relatively undamaged, Lt. Col. Force went below to investigate the Cargo Hold and see if there were any more clues to Ferigno's fate or traps laid by the hijackers/previous crew.
While waiting for his return they saw a bright flash in the darkness of space, the Sun Shredder had jumped from the Station, and they received a hailing beacon from the Puddle Jumper (the Ship's Boat of the Sun Shredder). Upon making radio contact with the Puddle Jumper, they learned that the Sun Shredder had been hijacked by Mux, and they were set adrift in the Puddle Jumper. Sir Reginald convinced Baron Kane that not only was it within his power, the right and proper thing to do was for the Baron to write a Space Letter of Marque, commissioning the listing Ferigno as a privateer. They hailed the Puddle Jumper, eager to bring them aboard and tell them the good news for their bad situation, Ferigno would put into the nearest repair station and upon completion of repairs would hunt down that bastard Mux and retrieve the Sun Shredder!
Unfortunately, such the happy reunion soon turned sour. Unbeknownst to Sir Reginald and his companions, during the first trip out to the Ferigno, Ricks had made a terrible discovery... the previous crew was not killed by hijackers... they were eaten by Space Monsters! One of those monsters had taken the form of the Ship's Cook, and had turned the unsuspecting Ricks and his investigators into one of their kind. Ricks, Vickers, and the other recently rescued monsters made quick work of the Ferigno's new crew, converting each one in kind. Still hungry for more victims, they concocted a plan... URF Station was hailed, but locked down and would not let anyone from Ferigno aboard. One of the monsters (I believe Max Force) had found the Golden Spore aboard Ferigno and offered it to the Station in exchange for our weapons (under the guise that we were not monsters, but wished to leave the system on the trail of the Sun Shredder). Still no dice from the valiant defenders of the Station, and it too jumped from the system. Our plans dashed, Space Monster Baron Kane informed us that we should steer for his home planet and feast until we were fit to burst, from there we could spread our evil race across the galaxy to any unsuspecting victims, converting the strongest to increase our ranks!
And so ends our tale, Inquisitor Mux ignominiously and cowardly retreated from the system, leaving it in the hands of a Xeno scourge. Baron Weltraumsfelsner, LCpl. Sneed, and Marshall Stone had saved the station and hailed as heroes of the local mining populace. The rest of the cast had been converted into ravenous Space Monsters intent on taking over the sub-system, with nothing in their way to stop them. Only the dead could say they now knew peace, things would be forever changed in this tiny remote corner of the universe.
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