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Topic: My 4-Year Anniversary
Subject: Happy Happy
Happy anniversary! Glad to see you are enjoying it here at the inn.
Posted on 2012-10-20 at 17:38:26.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: Note on last adventure
The "dead" of the Yardiff Bey party were Yardiff and the four man crew of the ASREV. I was reading back and noticed some were afraid that innocent people were killed. Certainly the sheriff would have confirmed this over the time that passed between missions.
Posted on 2012-10-17 at 16:17:06.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: relax
Calvary is coming....
Posted on 2012-10-17 at 12:55:37.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: Interesting
I have to say it is interesting to have a character inside the ship that is in distress. Gives a different prespective while giving the thread a film like quality to it.
Posted on 2012-10-17 at 12:16:57.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: one more thing
At full burn it will take Rocinante about 15-20 minutes to reach the cruise ship. This gives you an idea of how much time you got until the "full picture" comes into view.
Posted on 2012-10-16 at 16:40:24.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: Note
Bromern, Teller and Odyson have all posted. I have chatted now with three people who missed Bro and Teller as the page flipped.
Posted on 2012-10-16 at 16:30:00.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: Good post
I needed a cold shower after that one.
Posted on 2012-10-16 at 15:32:31.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: Brigit did it
It is always Brigit's fault.
Posted on 2012-10-15 at 19:01:24.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: if you wish
Doesn't matter to me how it is done. It just makes it easier for everyone to post if it shipwide.
Posted on 2012-10-15 at 15:36:26.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: game vs logic
I put down that John would flip on for Bridge speakers but for the purpose of the game, I am going to change that to shipwide so people can post without waiting for Bromern to post first.
So everyone on the Rocinante heard the distress signal.
Posted on 2012-10-15 at 12:31:36.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: posted
I have posted. Now a few things I need to go over:
Dust Devil - Is a group of browncoats who, for them, the war ain't over. They are a terrorist group and despised by both sides of the war.
Radio vs Wave - Without the cortex, you can not send waves but you can still communicate via radio for a fair distance, although there may be a delay in transmission. if you are very close, you can send waves directly (within 25 miles).
Note that this is the start of a new campaign so everyone starts with 6 plot points.
Posted on 2012-10-14 at 19:08:35.
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Topic: Voyages of Rocinante - Serenity/Firefly RPG
Subject: And here we go.
Pre meeting
The new dashboard for the sensory array fit into the control panel like a glove. Wolf and john worked on setting it up, wiring it and calibration. In the end, the unit gave the pilot better ability to detect things in space and from greater distances than before.
The back up battery was a sweet addition, with enough power to run lights, inner ship communication and door locks. But protecting an entire ship's wiring from an EMP attack was - well quite a task. It would take Wolf months to do it alone, and even with John and Asher helping it was a slow task. Wolf had to carefully monitor what had been done and not because the smallest section missed would make the endeavour worthless. Each one of them at some point came back to Tess and asked "Your one mechanic did this for your entire ship? Really?"
Going to the meeting
Asher walked alongside Tess, Wyatt and Willow as they headed off to their meeting. It wasn't unusual in Eisley Moss for a young man to be carrying a rifle openly so it didn't draw attention. ,” Ain’t no harm in going for a walk with my friends, beside there is some mighty good star watching from the roof of Nell’s across the street.” The Kid said.
Asher spotted a young girl watching from the side of a general store. She was a pretty young girl, with long red hair, green eyes that would swallow you whole and freckles that were meant to be counted after .... well, you know. She was about 18 years old and she watched Asher go by with a cat's curiosity.
But when he looked back again, she was gone.
But he spotted her again later on, hiding behind a hay wagon and looking at him when she thought he wasn't. It wasn't like Asher hadn't had a girl watch him before
So Asher went into Nell's and the other three entered the Double D. he looked around one more time but his admirer was gone, or at least getting better at sneaking around.
During The Meeting
"Money's not much to us if we're boarded or blown up," Willow began smoothly. "And while having a passenger aboard means you trust it's stable enough to transport, how do I know we won't accidentally set it off? What does it take to make it go boom, if I may ask?"
Jake cleared his throat, "It's stable as water, heck you could put out a fire with it but I don't recommend it. Bit expensive for that. It becomes a problem when it is mixed with a hydrocarbon in liquid form, and then only if you do the right percentage. If you poured half and half with gasoline, you'd only get a pretty flame and a headache from the fumes. Your hydrogen fuel is more dangerous than avri-grow. Think of it as carrying a case full of dynamite wicks. Unless you put them into the dynamite stick, you ain't gonna be hurt by the wicks."
"You need to understand the real reason we can transport this cargo." Del-lar piped up and Della and Jake rolled their eyes and leaned back like they were preparing to hear a sermon they hear a million times before, " Blue Sun owns all the big farms from Greenleaf to Alacrity. They have all the big shots in the guild in their pockets and they don't want no competition. Why else could we buy it, from Blue Sun no less yet we cannot transport it?"
"Okay there Del-lar," Della said soothingly, "These folks don't want to hear no conspiracy theory or any of your mind control mumbo-gumbo. He is right that if we get this stuff to Deadwood, we have a good chance to grow some good crops. The planet is named rightly, the soil ain't got much life in it." he said while fishing something out of his pocket. It was an apple, red, ripe, but quite small - less than half the size of what you'd expect as an apple. "This is the best of my crop this year. Taste mighty fine but there ain't enough nutrients in the soil to make a reasonable yield." he reached out and offered the apple to Willow, "For you. "
Willow's expert eye of reading people saw no attempt to misdirect or lie in these men. If anything, they wanted to be as honest as possible with you. The glances between each other was more assurance that they were not forgetting something.
"I'm all fer slipping things past the purple bellies," Wyatt drawled. "Question I got for ya is pretty straight forward, Sheriff Justice. It's well-known t' me an' mine that you an' these fine gentlemen got nothing by way of warm an' fuzzy feelings fer the Feds. Buddha knows I'm not climbing int' bed with none of them...well, ever. However, I gotta believe that there are good people on both sides o' the War that got kilt fer being in the wrong place at the wrong time, an' I don't aim t' see that happen again."
"People have got t' keep their crops fresh and lively, of that I am positive. If you fine people say this is the way to do so, then this is the way to do so. And we'll take ourselves a little detour into deep Black t' make that happen. Just seeking some assurances is all Sheriff Justice. It's one thing t' cross the Alliance with yer eyes open wide, an' it's another altogether t' do so with shiny rose-colored glasses on while dreaming of the green fields of Earth that Was."
The sheriff looked back at Wyatt with a serious demeanor. "I appreciate your candor Wyatt. I have known these gentlemen since we were kids playing tag in our daddy's back yard. just like their fathers, they just want to grow crops, till the earth and feed the people. They ain't no dust devils. We all fought in the war and we came home wanting to put it all behind us and do what we can. Deadwood is a long away from the alliance eye and not a place for anyone to stir up trouble.
"So let me assure you that what is being told to you is the gospel truth. No one here pulling the wool over your eyes. Let me also assure you that all the paperwork and whatnot shows you are delivering to the orphanage so if the goods are discovered you got what them purple bellies call 'plausible deniability'. Let me also assure you that if some hot shot still puts the shackles on you, I will do my level best from this side to get you out - and that is not something to be trifled with, if I say so myself. So, Captain - do you feel assured?"
(assuming that is yes.)
Asher was glad that he came to watch and even more glad that nothing came to unsettle the meeting in any way. He packed up his stuff to leave but Amber and Honey were asking him if he was gonna stay in such a nice way....
Eisley Moss Spaceport, The next day, early morning
Five skids loaded with crates and boxes of foodstuff around a metal barrel of "corn syrup" are loaded into the cargo bay of the Rocinante. Each skid is approximately 4'WX7'HX4'D, wrapped in plastic shrink wrap and then secured with straps to the floor of the cargo bay. the farmers show up with family and hands in tow to help and as you are getting fueled up and ready to go, the wives of the farmer present many different baked goods to Willow "for the long voyage". There are a few meat pies, some fruit pies, a number of different cakes and tubs of cookies too. They also contribute dried oats, dried fruits, jars of jam and preserves as well.
Asher was helping unload when suddenly there she was again, the red hair girl. She approached him with a ceramic jar that smelled of oatmeal and raisins. She was shaking as she handed them to Asher and only managed to whisper "for you."
(assuming some response like Hello or thank you)
Her confidence suddenly broke and she ran away as fast as she could. A man and woman, her parents by resemblance alone, stood by and watched, shaking their heads.
"You'll never get a man if you don't talk to him honey!" the Mom called out exasperated.
"Well that is not always true dear. Some like the quiet type." the Dad said and was hit across the back of his head for his troubles. "But not any you want to be with though."
Goodbyes are said and the cargo bay finally closes. Tess gets the all clear from the flight control and the crew go about their chores and business while Trish and Willow put away the goodies and decide what has to be eaten soon and what can be stored. There will be a feast tonight for sure, and the protein paste is not invited.
So time passes and the hours become days and the days move on by as you drift through the black. Daily routines are established and you all know that keeping busy is important on a ship but leisure time is also available.
On day three you are stopped by a passing alliance ship and boarded. The alliance has a tram search your ship but they pay little attention to your cargo. they are looking for two fugitive - Simon and River Tan. Not the first time you have been searched for them, but they must have pissed the alliance off sorely.
On day seven you are passing the far reaches of Sihnon and about to head into the long stretch where you will be out of most regular shipping lanes. Tess is in the pilot chair of the Bridge, Wyatt is there as well alongside John who is busy taping up more cables with the EMP tape. Asher is in the common room playing a shoot'em up game on the cortex box while Fu Sheng sits by watching and Trish is busy making up breakfast for everyone. Willow is in the infirmary, running a firmware update on her diagnostic machine. Wolf is in the engine room, making sure all is running smoothly.
Suddenly, the cortex feed is lost. Tess tries a few methods to bring it back but nothing but static. Asher's game becomes a screen of white noise and static. Willow's upgrade is shut down in mid-progress. Without the cortex, you have no long range communication, no access to the outside world. Not a big issue at the moment. The onboard computer has a astro-chart and you can fly for awhile without needing to confirm your location.
John stops fiddling with wires and tries his luck but with no avail. But just then, a minute or two after the feed is lost, Tess cries out and points out into the black through the cockpit window. There is a bright fiery explosion , no more than a blob to your eye. Sensors show a ship in the far distance, large, and with multiple hot spots. Then the short range radio light begins to flash on the control panel and Tess flips it on speaker for shipwide.
"Zzztttzzttztztz.....Mayday! Mayday....Zztztztztz. This is the Star of Sihnon ... zzttzz ... liner...zzztzttzt ...please help."
John immediately adjusted some of the feed and rerouted power to the radio receiver, "Let me boost the signal." he said quietly. The signal was still full of static but the message was clearer.
"This is the Star of Sihnon Cruise Liner. We are badly damaged by internal explosion. Starboard escape pods are lost. There are not enough for all passengers. We need help! In the name of Buddha, God and the 'verse please can someone hear me!!!!"
Star of Sihnon Promenade deck, 8:00 pm Ship Time
Jessy was on her way to the dining room for dinner when the floor beneath her shook for the first time. She managed to stand her ground but other passengers were knocked down to the ground. Then came another shake and even Jessy could not keep her balance this time. It was followed by a loud explosion from beneath the ship. Something was definitely wrong.
Emergency lights popped up out of the floor flashing in sequence to direct people to the escape pods. A feminine voice announced across the ship intercom in both English and Mandarin "Attention all passengers. Please proceed to your assigned emergency exit hatch. " Security guards were running in all directions as the passengers panicked. Another big boom shook the ship and what felt like a shockwave rippled along the starboard side of the ship. The sound was deafening as metal, plastic and ceramic were torn to pieces. Emergency bulkheads slid down to seal up the inner hull and keep precious air and pressure inside the ship.
Jessy started to follow the flashing lights, cursing to herself that luck had changed and all that she had was about to be lost. She was pushed aside by running people and lost her way for a second until she could focus again on the light, but they brought her right to the security station where the vault that she'd been watching stood - partially open. No guards were there and no one was watching in their frighten herd-like state. A few gems? Coins? Anything to help her land on her feet - it would be worth the few seconds it would take ...
Posted on 2012-10-14 at 19:02:02.
Edited on 2012-10-15 at 12:32:36 by Alacrity
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: aren't we all
Okay people, time to get down. Brother Alacrity has hit the ground, got to believe I'm the dude of the hour, got the posting, got the power.....
Sorry....
Anyway. I will be posting this weekend to the game and moving along. No time for dilly dally - fuel up and gone. So post them if you got 'em!!!
If you have a question that you "think" Bromern or Willow should ask the farmers before you agree to haul dynamite across the verse - feel free to ask them here.
Thank you.
Roger (move 'em out)
Posted on 2012-10-12 at 14:10:46.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: Different perspectives
Different perspectives are good in a game when played well. Obviously Jayne and Mal were not always of the same mind-frame, as was Simon. However, as a DM of far too many years, I also caution about taking opposing sides for the sake of doing so or when it does not add to the game. I have seen good games perish at the cry of "I'm just playing my character".
Posted on 2012-10-11 at 16:02:53.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: STNG
Only if you are playing Star Trek and dealing with Klingon sex.
Posted on 2012-10-09 at 18:15:42.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: that's ok
There won't be much time in the next campaign for the rip tear fling.
More like Dodge, Jump, Bleed.
Posted on 2012-10-09 at 18:11:27.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: cute and cuddly boys, cute and cuddly
Let's keep in mind this is a PG site. My daughter follows the thread.
Posted on 2012-10-09 at 17:50:24.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: celibacy
Depends on the order and the structure of the faith. Not all monks are celibate as not all priests, depending on the faith.
I would think after two hundred years trapped in a ark-ship the celibacy rule of any faith might have been tossed.
If they were celibate, I wonder if Love-bots count?
Posted on 2012-10-09 at 15:47:04.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: Characters
I have posted Sifu and Jessy to the character list. Jessy will appear soon, trust me.
BTW - In the characters section, I am not going to reformat the page everytime I add a character so I may moved the retired characters to another thread.
Posted on 2012-10-09 at 15:12:54.
Edited on 2012-10-09 at 15:14:07 by Alacrity
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Topic: Characters in Rocinante
Subject: The Ship
Name: Rocinante
Type: Firefly Class Mid-Size Transport (03-K64)
Agility: d10
Strength: d6
Vitality: d8
Alertness: d4
Intelligence: d4
Willpower: d4
Dimensions: 191x128x53 ft.
Tonnage: 2472 tns.
Speed Class: 5 cruise/7 hard burn
Fuel Cap.: 60 tns (800hrs)
Cargo/Deck: 328/388 tn.
Infirmary Bay Added into Hold #2
Maintenance: 6180 yearly or 515 per month
Complexity: Average
Original Price: 96,000 credits
Quirk: Whenever the Rocinante starts hard burn the ship makes a noise throughout the decks that sounds as though a horse were galloping through the halls. It lasts less than a minute and no amount of tinkering will make the sound go away.
Assets:
Healthy as a Horse - She manages to fly under adverse conditions.
Loved - She'll keep flying as long as the crew doesn't give up on her.
Fuel Efficient - The new engines burn fule better and cleaner so you get 25% farther and longer flight time on a regular fuel tank
Complications
Everyone has One - Everyone knows all the hidden flaws and weaknesses
Brand New and Improved - With new engines comes new parts and they are hard to find in the junkyards of the Verse. +25% to cost of maintenance and repairs
Skills:
Aerial Transport Op/Transport d2
Space Transport Op/Transport d2
Action Figure Comes With:
Large Hover Mule - P d6, M --, Seats: 4. Speed: 60mph. Weight: 1,000lbs. Capacity: 1,000lbs.
Garden Bunk - 45 lbs. (shipboard mini-garden).
Foodstuffs, Protein Packs (1 week for 5 people)
10 NBC Masks (placed in strategic places about Rocinante)
6 Vacuum Suits (in Hold #1).
2 Basic First Aid Kits (Infirmary and Hold #1)
Medcomp - Vital-status diagnostic computer (Infirmary).
3 tons (3 pts) Stun Armor (72 tons worth; 72 tons of volume, 3,000c spent).
2 Short Range 100lbs decoy missiles (in Cargo Bay #1; 1,000c total spent).
Upgrades
Newtech Sensor array and control dashboard increases intelligence to d4.
4 Blue Sun EVT29-4000-A90 pulse-feedback generators (Mark 4)
48 RCS thrusters (Mark 4)
Enhanced graviton accelerator core Drive (Mark 4)
Back History
Why Rocinante? Let me tell you about this man back on Earth that was. Went by the name of Don Quixote and he wasn't a lord or mayor or a man of standing; he was just folk like you and me. Lived in a place called Las Mancha, which I think was in Texas back on Earth. Anyways, the man had a love of reading though, and took to books like a fish to water. So much so that them folks in his town started to think he had a leaky brainpan due to all that reading. You know how them backwater folks can get them strange notions in their heads.
Anyways, this Quixote fella, he took disagreement with the local uppity-ups. Real giants of industry that held the area in a tight grip on the account that they owned all the wind-mill power generators. Since they had the power and the money, they basically took control of the area and made their ways known to the folks. Not completely different from some places in the Verse now, come to think of it. But Don wouldn't stand for it. He took up arms against that sea of troubles, even though he was just one man.
Now Don had a horse - wasn't a pretty horse or a fast horse or even a young spirited one. It was an old nag workhorse, much like any of us have rode or used on the farms. But Don didn't see the horse as old and useless; he saw the horse as a faithful steed upon which to ride out and undo the wrongs of the world. So he called her Rocinante, which was Spaniard for "not a work horse".
Now I'd like to tell you that Mr. Quixote went out and did great things and became a big damn hero. But, sure as shooting, one man against giants doesn't have much of a chance. However, no matter how often he went out and got beaten, bruised and generally messed up, Rocinante always got him home again. The folks tried to get Don to stop, being scared of them lords and their power, but he kept right on trying, and Rocinante keep bringing him back for mending.
Soon enough though, an old man can't take the beatings anymore and he died a broken man. But once he was gone, the folks suddenly realized they had lost something. They felt it in their hearts and it made them mourn something awful. Then they rose up against those giants of industry and cast off their shackles. Wasn't for Quixote though, they wouldn't have say boo. Isn't that the way though? Folks don't know what they got until its plum gone.
So I named her Rocinante, cause she was once a work horse, but she ain't to me. She's much more than that, and if I love her and take care of her; she'll always bring me home. No matter if I succeed in my ventures or I am running bruised and bleeding. She'll get me home again. She'll do the same for you too.
Posted on 2012-10-09 at 15:03:23.
Edited on 2014-11-26 at 12:06:59 by Alacrity
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: no problem
I wasn't to post this weekend anyway. So relax.
Just a brief word for those new and even not so new. Some times the posts in this game can be long, extensive and damn good reads. Sometimes that can be intimidating. you might think you need to recreate War and Peace before you can post.
Relax. Post what you can do and enjoy the story as if unfolds. Some of the best posts I ever read have been short and to the point. No one is judging forum posts on length or number of heartstrings pulled.
Posted on 2012-10-08 at 19:01:39.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: Geeks bearing gifts
Reminds me of a time that a player (warrior) asked me for a vorpal weapon. I said sure, no problem. He was very happy for awhile then realized I had given a vorpal sword for no reason. Then he became really really twitchy. He gave a vorpal sword so that means everything is either immune to vorpal or everything needs one just to hit. And it is probably possessed and I am gonna kill the party ....
Relax. I promise no EMP in my next post.
Posted on 2012-10-08 at 01:22:57.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: dead weight
You are about to travel through the black for 15 days, I'd personally want to have as many spare parts as possible. You want to build robo-algae, well that is your call.
Posted on 2012-10-06 at 02:18:58.
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Topic: Voyages of the Rocinante - Firefly RPG QnA
Subject: the list
Here are the spare parts sent to Tess fro mGrace. I will add them to the ship character sheet as a spare part list.
1 Catalyzer for the compression coil
200 feet of Fiber optic cables
1 Fuel injection manifold for reactor
1 Emergency Kill Switch for reactor
4 Intake valve for Thruster pods
6 Nozzles for Thrusters (for fuel or air)
2 Hydraulic arms for bomb bay doors
4 “rejeuv” Algae packs (used to create oxygen, these are dried preserved Algae that will flourish in the tank)
Posted on 2012-10-05 at 12:58:48.
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Topic: Voyages of Rocinante - Serenity/Firefly RPG
Subject: A very long Post
Rocinante, Common room, The Evening after the auditions
The cortex news feed flickers to life on the screen in the sitting area of the Rocinante all the crew gathers as John sets up the monitor so all can see. Ma has made her famous puffed rice balls with honey and nut clusters and everyone is enjoying the moment, getting to know the new crew members. On screen, a well dress man behind a desk appears with an EMAN symbol behind him. His smile is soothing, his manner professional, and his hair combed within an inch of its life.
“...and while the senator swore that he was not intoxicated, he could not explain his nudity. Back to you Diane.”
Camera switched to a woman in a business suit, blonde hair and a low cut top. Her smile is bright, cheerful and she has a laugh like silver bells.
“Ha ha ha. Well I guess he won’t be invited back next year Tom. Ha ha ha.” She sighs heavily and dramatically, “Our final story tonight is a tragic one. “ Diane face becomes somber and serious, “Successful farmer and local philanthropist, Yardiff Bey was killed today in a Barbeque accident.”
Scene appears behind her showing a smiling Man accepting a humanitarian award.
“Mr. Bey was entertaining guests at his home when a gas leak caused an explosion that killed at least four people including Mr. Bey. For more at the scene, we now send you to Alliance Reporter, Tricia Takanawa.
Camera changes to a scene of an asian woman reporter standing by a yellow tape, far behind her is a devastated house and the signs of a explosion. Uniformed men, local law enforcement, report in the background to an older man in a brown duster jacket wearing a gold star.
“Diane, the police are still trying to piece together what has happened here. The explosion was so devastating, so destructive that it looks like a bomb was dropped on the estate. We have four men confirmed dead Diane and this would have been much higher had it not been for Mr. Bey spending his last moments of life warning his guests and staff of the imminent danger. “
In the background, an alliance patrol led by a federal Marshall has appeared. The Marshall is pointing and gesturing at the sheriff and pushing a Pad-like device into his face. The sheriff takes the device and flings it over his shoulder into the fire.
“Bey’s success was hard won by his own hands as he bought land that was considered barren by most and turned it into a golden land of abundance. Although a highly successful entrepreneur, Bey never forgot his roots and was a big contributor to local charities and events.”
The Marshall is angry. The sheriff tries to walk away but the Marshall grabs him by the collar. The sheriff elbows the Marshall in the head and then turns to land a punch to the gut that doubles him over.
“With no family that we know of, the fate of the farming land will become a hotly debated topic in the Farmer’s Guild meeting. Bey bought the lands for next to nothing back in the days, but now it represents a 10 million credit business of corn and sunflowers.”
The alliance soldiers move to protect the Fed, the police move to protect their sheriff. Soon there is a pitched battle of fisticuffs going on behind the reporter with the older sheriff standing his ground well against younger men.
“No matter the outcome, Yardiff Bey’s presence will be sorely missed in this community. A tight knit community of men who work the land and toil for the food we eat. Back to you, Diane”
Screen changes to the newsroom, focus on lady anchor and her cleavage.
“Thank you Tricia. Truly a sad day for all of Beaumonde, and not just our hometown. Well that is news as we saw it tonight. For all of us at Eisley Moss Action News, we wish you well and may the good news be yours. Goodnight.”
Camera switches to male anchor.
“Stay tuned after the news for an all star cast in The Expendables 400. Goodnight.”
Eisley Moss Spaceport, the next day, late afternoon
There was a bang at the door, a strong hard bang of someone looking for the occupants. Wyatt and Willow were already in the cargo bay discussing future jobs so Wyatt hit the switch to open the cargo bay doors. Asher and Tess look on from the catwalk above, while Wolf, John and Tess turn on the camera in the common room that links to the CB feed. There stands the sheriff that they had seen on the news last night, same brown duster, very similar to the one that Wyatt wears, but sporting a black eye and a few facial bruises. Behind him are four men, farmers you’d guess by the dress. The men all seem rather thin and haggard, but they have a look in their eyes like they have been given hope after a long time without any.
Sheriff smiles a genuine smile as he looks at both Wyatt and Willow. “Good day sir, Ma’am.” He says, “I’m Sheriff Buford T. Justice. That’s right – justice. My Ma always said that with a name like justice, best be a lawman, so here I am, just like my daddy and his daddy before him. But I ain’t here for law business, not with you at least. Would you be looking for hire?”
(assuming an answer of yes)
“Good. Glad to hear. It ain’t a big job, the five of us to Higgin’s moon and then twice as many coming back with us. We can stomach hammocks if you must.”
(assuming some question of details)
“Well you see, there was a man around here named Yardiff Bey. He wasn’t a nice man although you will find folk around here who say differently. Back a few years ago, Bey wanted these men’s land and they wouldn’t sell. They knew a snake when they saw one so they refused despite the price. So Bey had their families taken. Yeah, you heard me right, take in the night and no trace of where. Just a threat that if they didn’t sell for half the price now, they’d never come back. They sold, did what he said and didn’t tell me. But Bey sold their families off as slaves, warning these men that if they stirred up trouble, then the families would meet with an unfortunate accident. You know, I have been a lawman for a long time and I am still always surprised at how men will treat other men for money. Anyway, Bey met with a ...” The sheriff drifts off as if searching for a word but his eyes flash mischievously, “an unfortunate accident the other day – you may have seen it on the news? Gas leak my Aunt Fanny! He messed with someone who could handle themselves. Wish I could shake their hand actually. Anyway. I got the paperwork here that tells me where the families are, and proving their unlawful in-den-ture-ment. If you could fly us there and back, I’m footing the bill and ...well I’d take it as a personal kindness. I know people who wished I owed them a favour, believe you me.”
(assuming a yes. Details are not really important as it is a narrative. The price is basic passengers and who knows, maybe you offered a discount)
Higgin’s Moon, a few days later
The whole crew stands on the gangway of the Rocinante and watch as the men are reunited with their families again, wives, daughters and sons. It is a very touching moment and the Sheriff seems right pleased as well. There was a tense moment not too long ago, where the magistrate had send his lawyer to talk with the sheriff and he was going on about due process and compensations and that kinda legal mumbo-jumbo. But his talk got rather rattled and stilled as Asher and Wolf brought out every single gun that they owned and began cleaning them slowly and carefully within sight of the overdressed mouthpiece. After that, things went rather smoothly.
“Good men you got there.” Sheriff says later to the captain as you are about to leave, “Don’t suppose you’d part with either of them? I could use a deputy.”
(assuming a definitive no from Wyatt)
Eisley Moss Spaceport, one month later
After the return of the farmers and their families, word seems to get out pretty quick and jobs start coming your way. Willow keeps in contact with the four farmers and the sheriff and serves as liaison to the jobs as they come in. They won’t make you rich, by any stretch of the imagination, but it keeps the bills paid. Willow was confident that the team was being scoped out by the farmers, and that a big job was on its way if trust could be established - more than trust really but an acceptance as one of similar minds perhaps. It gives the crew a time to work with each other and get to know as John, Tess and Wolf all learn their way around the boat. John’s medical background gives him a topic of discussion with Willow and his interest in flight suits and parachuting is interesting to some to say the least. Tess is easy to talk to and finds an emotional draw to Ma, as many do once they get past her scars.
After a while, Tess gets a notice from the local post office that a package has arrived for her. She, wolf and John go pick up a rather large box marked with high level security clearance emblems. Tess almost squeals with delight as she reads the message attached to box in an envelope labeled “For Tess and her new ship.”
Hello Quing Ting
Hope you are doing well. I'm fine, but can't say where I am. I heard about your new job so I'm sending you some tech that might help. Don't worry, most were gained legally so it won't cause problems. I got you a military grade Newtech 500's sensor array with dash board, a fusion core backup battery and some EMP protection tape.
These should help with Rocinante “intelligence” and keep your system from being fried. Also I heard your working with a firefly so I'm sending some spare parts.
-Grace
Like kids on Erastide morning, the box is open to reveal presents from Tess’ mechanic friend. Questions of how did she know where to send it? Or where did she get this? Or How did this get pass security? were all answered with a simple, “With Grace, you probably don’t want to know.”
The Dew Drop Inn. Beaumonde, Two months later
The Saloon was a farming guild establishment – managed and owned. It was where farmers went to have a few drinks, and it was where they went when they wanted to do business. The Dew Drop Inn was a “redneck looking” joint but there was no way for Alliance to get a ear or eye inside. Farmers knew farmers and the serving staff were all carefully screened and usually a family member to someone in the guild. Honest working folk didn’t need Feds around telling them what to do. The double D, as it was affectionately known, had numerous rooms, many without windows and well soundproofed. It was for the working ladies, the owners would say knowing if anyone asked, but if they did everyone would soon shut up around them because they didn’t belong here.
So it was that Willow and Wyatt were joined Tess, Sheriff Justice, and three farmers that Willow had spoken with before (Della, Dee-Lar, and Jake) but not for business. They were from out of town – way out of town – Deadwood to be exact. Another man joined them there that Willow had not met before – a small asian man, shaved head with a relaxed smile and a peaceful manner. Jake introduced him as Fu Sheng. Wyatt noticed the little man had a firm grip and his eyes moved like he missed nothing. Willow noticed that the small asian man walked like a great cat, gracefully but always ready to pounce.
Drinks were ordered and brought, small talk was made and then silence fell as you waited for the Farmers to state their purpose. After a few momet, Della cleared his throat and spoke up
“We have a cargo that we like to ship to Deadwood. I ummm well ...”
“Oh gorram it Della!” said Jake, “Just tell them! We’re all business men here.”
(assuming Willow says something soothing to calm the menfolk)
Della smiled, “Yeah. Right. We want to ship 5 tanks of liquid Avri-Grow to Deadwood. Now that’s illegal, by Alliance law that is.”
Sheriff snorted, “Don’t worry about me son. I take care of my people and town and that keeps me plenty busy without keep up with purple belly nonsense.”
“We can buy Avri-Grow, we can even use it on Deadwood but transport is strictly illegal.” Della explained
“Since it can be used as a mix for a explosive.”Del-Lar added, “I don’t have to tell you that you could get ten times the price for this than we can pay you to ship. From the Black market of course.”
“But that is why we turn to you Captain Wyatt and Miss Willow. You have done us rightly and we know you won’t play that way against us.” Jake said. “So you won’t get into trouble, we arranged to transport a bunch of foodstuffs to an orphanage nearby. Fu Sheng is here as a representative from the orphanage.”
(assuming short intro and talk from Fu Sheng about himself and his order)
“We will pack the food crates around the tanks, label the tanks as corn syrup – even put a false top on it in case someone wants a taste.” Della explains, “You take the long way around so there won’t be much traffic. In case you do get inspected, Fu Sheng here will come with you to assure the goods are legit.”
“We are offering 2,500 credits up front if you do this and another 5,000 when you land on Deadwood with goods intact.” Del-Lar pipes up. “Plus we will fuel you before you leave here and after when you on Deadwood. “
*******
Ending here to allow for talking, wheeling and dealing. As to the rest of the crew, Wolf and John might be installing the new equipment and testing it. Asher could be helping, or he might be on the roof of the building across from the saloon (another saloon but with more brothel than beer) keeping an eye out even if no one asked him too.
They are asking you to haul a liquid fertilizer that is stable on its own but if mixed with an accelerant, become a highly explosive substance. Transport is illegal because it is such a tempting target to any dust devil, ex-military, wacko nutbar militia or assassin that they will do anything to get it.
The long way from Beaumonde to Deadwood is 15 days (360 hours) of travel without hard burn. There will be times when you will be completely alone in the black, or as alone as anyone can be.
The newtech sensor array and dashboard will increase Rocinante’s intelligence scare by d2. The backup battery and EMP tape can be used to protect your vital systems from an EMP attack but wrapping all the systems in tape and adding the battery will be months of a labour of love and boredom.
Spare parts list I will provide later. I have to finish this and get going.
Posted on 2012-10-04 at 21:44:23.
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