Beyond the Final Frontier

The old game thread on the previous server, if you care to catch up.
http://www.rpgrm.com/rmsmf/index.php?topic=9260.0

Unfortunately, the Real Roleplaying gaming site no longer exists. Archives of the game page exist, but none of the threads themselves seem to have survived...

What Came Before
The Drake left at Starbase 24 to affect repairs taken in combat with the blockade runner, Treyva and a select crew are recruited by Starfleet Intelligence operative Mia Tyler to continue their pursuit of Dietrich Schrepfermann and his gang. The crew travel to a Klingon border world to follow a lead and are drawn into a dispute between two criminal brothers; acting on information gained through resolving the dispute, the crew are able to locate and capture the shape-shifting Suliban agent who sabotaged the Volgograd over Starbase 11 and learn from her the location of Schrepfermann's secret base...

The Fight Scene Order of Turns
1. When the female guard attempts to use a hypospray on Cole, he instead slips by her and another guard to position himself next to Dietrich.
2. Tobin takes advantage of the distraction to rush Niro, but is knocked on his backside by the Deltan pilot. (Tobin takes 3 Stress)
3. The guard nearest Cole pins him to the console, preventing him from attacking Dietrich.
4. Treyva searches through the yacht's database and finds that Schrep is supposed to have a transporter somewhere on his campus (the database doesn't note where), as well as three flitters (exact location also unknown) and four ground vehicles (though the latter are meant mostly for traversing the grounds, and not for long-distance travel). He also finds a file that details Dietrich's several benefactors. One name, in particular, stands out: Lolani-Taan.
5. Dietrich is prompted by Niro to escape the room, which he does.
6. The guard nearest Tobin picks him up and slams him with force onto the billiards table. (Tobin takes 4 Stress)
7. Sorak heads to the yacht's cockpit and directs Ally to transmit the compound's shield frequency to the Forrest, which she does.
8. The Forrest sets up the transport (which will happen at the end of the round).
9. Kentares (even) or Katya (odd) will act next...

Current
Momentum 6
Threat 11

Spaceworthy Cover Advantage (Katarina, Cole, & Tobin for their backstory on why the boys are helping her)
Familiar Systems Advantage (operating or manipulating Schrep's Household Sensor Suite)
Intermix Muckup Complication (any attempt to restore full warp power on the yacht)
Rotating Remote-Access Encryption Complication (any attempt to access the controls of the yacht remotely)
Pinned Complication (Cole, increasing the Difficulty of any physical task)
Pinched Nerve Complication (Tobin, increasing the Difficulty of any physical action requiring the use of one or both arms)

Who Has Acted:
Pros: Cole, Tobin, Treyva, Sorak
Advs: mG3, Dietrich, mG2

Who Can Act:
Pros: Ally, Katya, Kantares
Advs: fG, mG1, Niro

Who Goes Next...d6, Kentares (even) or Katya (odd)

Shoot someone! The effects guys are getting bored!

More specifically, shoot Niro.

Kantares pulls her disruptor and aims it in Katarina's general direction, then turns and fires it at Niro.

OOC: Kantares Control (10) + Security (2), adding 1 Threat to Create Opportunity, vs. Difficulty 2

OOC: 3 Successes vs. Difficulty 2. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated.

Kantares Disruptor Pistol Damage (Vicious 1)

OOC: Wow, that was horrible. She's spending 1 Momentum to reroll the four 3s.

OOC: And that changes the entire result! Instead of 2 damage from the attack, Sassanie achieves 9 damage!

Niro has no resistance, so he takes 9 Stress. Since that would cause an Injury (for taking 5 or greater damage in an attack), he will spend 2 Threat to Avoid an Injury.

(Side note, the Complication Rage would've increased by 1, due to folks being within Reach of Niro. Thankfully, Kantares' aim was solid.)

Since this is the second protagonist action in a row, the antagonists get a go.

Current
Momentum 6 (1 generated, 1 spent)
Threat 10 (1 added, 2 spent)

Spaceworthy Cover Advantage (Katarina, Cole, & Tobin for their backstory on why the boys are helping her)
Familiar Systems Advantage (operating or manipulating Schrep's Household Sensor Suite)
Intermix Muckup Complication (any attempt to restore full warp power on the yacht)
Rotating Remote-Access Encryption Complication (any attempt to access the controls of the yacht remotely)
Pinned Complication (Cole, increasing the Difficulty of any physical task)
Pinched Nerve Complication (Tobin, increasing the Difficulty of any physical action requiring the use of one or both arms)

Stress Taken
Tobin, 7
Niro, 9

Who Has Acted:
Pros: Cole, Tobin, Treyva, Sorak, Kantares
Advs: mG3, Dietrich, mG2

Who Can Act:
Pros: Ally, Katya
Advs: fG, mG1, Niro

The Deltan, seemingly surprised by the sudden betrayal, staggers back a step, then flees to the other side of the couch, ducking behind it.

OOC: Niro takes the Recover action.

The couch provides some cover, even though it's relatively soft. Resistance 1.

Niro Recover Action Fitness (7) + Command (3) vs. Difficulty 2 (reduced by 1 for being behind cover).

OOC: 1 Success vs. Difficult 1. Success. Niro regains the use of the Avoid an Injury ability and gains 1 extra Resistance per Effect rolled for Cover.

(Also, I messed up on the couch's cover. It provides 1 [CD] of Cover.)

Further, he spends 3 additional Threat to recover 3 Stress, and 2 Threat to Keep the Initiative. Guard mG1 acts next.

The guard near the door draws his disruptor pistol and defends his boss by sliding to his left, using the couch as cover, and shooting the traitor Kantares.

OOC: Guard mG1 Control (10) + Security (2) vs. Difficulty 2, Complication Range 19-20

OOC: 3 Successes vs. Difficult 2. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated.

Guard mG1 Disruptor Pistol Damage (Vicious 1)

OOC: Kantares takes 7 Stress, and adds 2 Threat to Avoid an Injury.

The guard's shot catches her squarely in the left hip, and Kantares wilts to one knee in clear distress, even if she remains at nominal fighting strength.

OOC: Okay, is Katya or Ally next?

Current
Momentum 6
Threat 6 (1 generated, 5 spent)

Spaceworthy Cover Advantage (Katarina, Cole, & Tobin for their backstory on why the boys are helping her)
Familiar Systems Advantage (operating or manipulating Schrep's Household Sensor Suite)
Intermix Muckup Complication (any attempt to restore full warp power on the yacht)
Rotating Remote-Access Encryption Complication (any attempt to access the controls of the yacht remotely)
Pinned Complication (Cole, increasing the Difficulty of any physical task)
Pinched Nerve Complication (Tobin, increasing the Difficulty of any physical action requiring the use of one or both arms)

Stress Taken
Tobin, 7
Niro, 6 (AaI spent & recovered)
Kantares, 7 (AaI spent)

Who Has Acted:
Pros: Cole, Tobin, Treyva, Sorak, Kantares
Advs: mG3, Dietrich, mG2, mG1, Niro

Who Can Act:
Pros: Ally, Katya
Advs: fG

I say Katya.

Katarina picks up a cue stick and swings it in an overhand arc onto the guard pinning Tobin.

OOC: Katya Daring (11) + Security (3) vs. Difficulty 1, spending 1 Momentum to Create Opportunity


Guard mG2 Daring (10) + Security (2) vs. Difficulty 1

OOC: Katarina 3 Successes vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 2 Momentum generated.
Guard mG2 2 Successes vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated.

Katarina wins the melee contest, generating 1 Momentum.

(Note: Since I stated the billiard cues were present on the table, it doesn't cost an Opportunity for Katya to use it.)

Katya Cue Stick Damage (Knockdown)

OOC: Guard mG2 takes 3 Stress, and is knocked down. As a result, he releases his grasp on Tobin, who is no longer Grappled.

Since she spent a Momentum earlier, Katya will bank the 1 she generated.

The cue stick strikes the guard at the base of his skull with a thundering crack, knocking him to on knee as he shakes off the concussion. Seeing her bludgeon is damaged, she snaps off the tapered half and holds the remainder in one hand, ready to rinse and repeat.

Meanwhile, the female guard moves to apply the hypospray to Cole.

OOC: Guard fG Daring (8) + Security (1) vs. Difficulty 1, spending 1 Threat to Create Opportunity
(https://patrickgoodman.org/forums/Themes/default/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 3d20 : 20, 3, 14, total 37

Cole must defending himself with Daring + Security; however, because he's Pinned, his Difficulty is increased by 1 to 2.

Current
Momentum 6 (1 generated, 1 spent)
Threat 5 (1 spent)

Spaceworthy Cover Advantage (Katarina, Cole, & Tobin for their backstory on why the boys are helping her)
Familiar Systems Advantage (operating or manipulating Schrep's Household Sensor Suite)
Intermix Muckup Complication (any attempt to restore full warp power on the yacht)
Rotating Remote-Access Encryption Complication (any attempt to access the controls of the yacht remotely)
Pinned Complication (Cole, increasing the Difficulty of any physical task)
Pinched Nerve Complication (Tobin, increasing the Difficulty of any physical action requiring the use of one or both arms)

Stress Taken
Tobin, 7
Niro, 6 (AaI spent & recovered)
Kantares, 7 (AaI spent)
mG2, 3 (Knocked Down)

Who Has Acted:
Pros: Cole, Tobin, Treyva, Sorak, Kantares, Katya
Advs: mG3, Dietrich, mG2, mG1, Niro

Who Can Act:
Pros: Ally
Advs: fG (in progress)

Go Katya!

Quote from: Davy, aka GM on January 11, 2020, 02:31:26 PM

Meanwhile, the female guard moves to apply the hypospray to Cole.

Cole must defending himself with Daring + Security; however, because he's Pinned, his Difficulty is increased by 1 to 2.

Cole's eyes widen as he sees the hypo coming his way. He struggles to avoid it

Daring (10) + Security (5)

OOC: Guard fG 1 Success vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 0 Momentum.
Cole 2 Successes vs. Difficulty 2. Success, plus 0 Momentum.

Given the tie, the acting character wins the challenge.

Cole attempts to fend off the hypospray, but he just can't get enough leverage to keep her hand at bay. A telltale hiss accompanies the slight sting of the injection, and his senses fade to black as he falls unconscious.

Meanwhile, aboard the yacht, Ally increases speed and takes the ship out of the atmosphere. Although not a natural pilot, she competently guides the Shield alongside the imposing superstructure of the Forrest.

"Shield to Forrest; standing by for docking maneuvers," she says over the comms.

OOC: Forrest Transporter Chief Control (10) + Engineering (3) vs. Difficulty 2 (increased by 1 because no transporter pad at pickup point, decreased by 1 because transport is being done from a transporter room). Adding 1 Threat to Create Opportunity.

OOC: 1 Success vs. Difficulty 2. I'm going to call this Success at Cost. Somebody missed a protocol...

Back in the common room of the house, the whine of a transporter beam fills the air, capturing everyone in the room within it. Their environment disappears around them, and is replaced by a standard Starfleet transporter room. Cole, Katarina, Tobin, and Niro materialize first, finding themselves faced with a security detail.

The Deltan reacts and pulls the trigger on his disruptor pistol, and the beam lances out at one of the security guards!

OOC: Niro Control (10) + Security (3) vs. Difficulty 2. Complication Range increased to 19-20 due to other people within Reach of his target.

Niro's shot goes wide, and the guards respond with coordinated fire.

OOC: Forrest Security Guard Control (10) + Security (2) vs. Difficulty 2


Forrest Security Guard Control (10) + Security (2) Assist


Forrest Security Guard Control (10) + Security (2) Assist


Forrest Security Guard Control (10) + Security (2) Assist

OOC: 3 Successes vs. Difficulty 2. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated.

Forrest Security Guard Phaser Damage

OOC: Spending the 1 Momentum generated to make total damage 9.

Niro is reduced to 0 Stress, and also takes 5+ damage. Niro suffers an Injury.

Four beams of stunning energy lance out and envelop the Deltan, who drops in a heap. Two guards step up to secure his limp form, while another welcomes the Starfleet officers aboard. A medical team comes in and revives Cole, who remains a bit groggy. They come down from the pad, the transporter security protocols are set and the rest of the combatants are materialized. The 'Fleeters point out their ally, Kantares, who identifies herself as Starfleet Security and gives a code word. More security guards arrive in the transporter room and escort the prisoners to the brig.

Elsewhere, the yacht lands in the shuttle bay, where the Forrest's first officer, one Lt. Cmdr. Bolivar, is there to meet Treyva, Sorak, and Ally.

"Welcome aboard, Captain; it's a pleasure to meet you," Bolivar says with a thick accent.

OOC: Feel free to engage a little conversation, but I assume you folks want to keep looking for Dietrich.

I consider this the same scene.

Current
Momentum 6
Threat 6

Familiar Systems Advantage (operating or manipulating Schrep's Household Sensor Suite)
Intermix Muckup Complication (any attempt to restore full warp power on the yacht)
Rotating Remote-Access Encryption Complication (any attempt to access the controls of the yacht remotely)
Pinched Nerve Complication (Tobin, increasing the Difficulty of any physical action requiring the use of one or both arms)

"It's good to be here, Commander," Treyva replied as he strode towards the nearest turbolift. "Do you know if the transport operation was successful? I'd really like this mission to be over."

As the guards escort the prisoners off to the brig, Tobin approaches Katarina with a relieved smile. "It appears I owe you one, Ensign. I thought that brute had me for sure back there."

Shuttlebay
"Let me find out," Bolivar responds and takes a few steps away from the group and flips open a communicator. "Bolivar to Transporter Room One."

"T-One. Nishimoto here."

"Nishi, is everyone aboard?"

"Yes, sir. We got the nine in the upper room; one resisted and was stunned," the technician reports. "Two plucked out the other four throughout the house; Captain Schrepfermann wasn't among them."

Bolivar casts a glance at Treyva. "Understood. Have the Drake personnel stand by; we'll come to you."

Transporter Room One

Quote from: Nolmir on January 12, 2020, 04:48:54 PMAs the guards escort the prisoners off to the brig, Tobin approaches Katarina with a relieved smile. "It appears I owe you one, Ensign. I thought that brute had me for sure back there."

Katya flashes a sheepish grin and casts her eyes down at the broken cue stick in her hand. "Who knew I was so good at billiards?" she quips.

The transporter chief concludes a call to an officer name Bolivar and announces, "Sirs, ma'am, the first officer is bringing your other crewmembers here."

Shuttlebay
"It looks like Schrepfermann wasn't among the thirteen we picked up," Bolivar says as he returns to the trio. "We can coordinate a search from the transporter room."

The first officer leads Treyva and the others through the ship to the transporter deck. Like all Chandley-class frigates, the Forrest has six separate transporter rooms, which is one of the features remaining from the original troop transport design that was shelved decades ago; even so, with a large security department, the ship can still put a decent sized-force anywhere in short order.

OOC: I'm running out of time before bed, so I'll end it here. Anyone, feel free to start up with Bolivar and the others entering the transporter room, and making plans on what you want to do next. :)

Led by Bolivar, Treyva, Sorak, and Ally enter Transporter Room One to find Cole, Tobin, and Katarina being looked at by the Forrest's medical personnel. Off to the side, an unfamiliar woman in black paramilitary attire stands by.

The first officer steps to the console and thumbs the comm panel. "Bolivar to Bridge."

"Tyler here. Go head, Phil."

"Captain, Nishi's reporting that Captain Schrepfermann wasn't among the thirteen we pulled up from the main house. I'd like to coordinate some sensor sweeps, and send down three security details, to locate him."

"Sensors are at your disposal. I'll be down in a bit."

Turning to Treyva, Bolivar says, "This is your quarry, Captain, and you know him best. We're at your disposal; how do you want to proceed?"

Treyva nodded. "I know he has a transporter on site," he said, "though I'm not sure where, nor do I know of possible destinations. I believe he'd go there, however; it's the most logical means of escape, given the circumstances." He walked over to the console.

There's a sensor console, isn't there? I seem to remember one, but can't go look at the moment.

OOC: Yes, there's a sensor console. :)

Treyva sat down at the sensor console. "Treyva to Bridge. I'm going to try and find his transporter from down here," he said. "Keep an eye out for any other ships in orbit, especially Orion ships; a significant portion of his backing comes from them."

Turning to his engineer, he said, "Sorak, do you or the Chief think it's possible to intercept a transporter beam, in case he tries to leave before we find him?"

Okay, I'm searching the estate for his transporter (primary goal) and/or Human life signs.

I'm just going to field this in RP unless Davy wants me to roll for it...

Sorak thinks for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Theoretically, it is possible, but to my knowledge had never been accomplished intentionally, and even accidentally only in rumor." The Vulcan adopts as he speaks the mannerisms many of his engineers have referred to as "instructor mode" to more fully explain, "The three factors these rumors have in common are the originating transporter unit being extremely close or extremely powerful, the intercepting unit being physically between the originating unit and its target location, and the intercepting unit being set to active reception mode."

After a brief pause, he then offers, "Though it occurs to me that if one had access to the specific energy signature or frequency produced by the originating unit, that could eliminate the proximity and positioning factors. And if Schrepfermann is using Federation transporters without much modification, that information should be available to us here aboard the Forrest."

QuoteTreyva sat down at the sensor console. "Treyva to Bridge. I'm going to try and find his transporter from down here," he said. "Keep an eye out for any other ships in orbit, especially Orion ships; a significant portion of his backing comes from them."

"Understood, Captain," a voice other than Jose Tyler's responds. "The sky is clear at the moment."

Quote...After a brief pause, he then offers, "Though it occurs to me that if one had access to the specific energy signature or frequency produced by the originating unit, that could eliminate the proximity and positioning factors. And if Schrepfermann is using Federation transporters without much modification, that information should be available to us here aboard the Forrest."

"Begging your pardons, sirs," Chief Nishimoto interjects, "but, barring some cloaked ship in orbit, Captain Schrepfermann would have to transport somewhere on the surface. That gives us two advantages: One, he's limited in distance due to the curve of the planet, since he isn't using an airborne or spaceborne transporter unit to angle the beam. Two, since we're training our sensors on the compound, we should be able to pick up the transporter signal when it activates, and we can see both its origin and destination."

OOC: Patrick, for Treyva's search, we're going with Reason + Science vs. Difficulty 1, assisted by the Forrest's Sensors (7) + Science (1)

Current
Momentum 6
Threat 6

Familiar Systems Advantage (operating or manipulating Schrep's Household Sensor Suite)
Intermix Muckup Complication (any attempt to restore full warp power on the yacht)
Rotating Remote-Access Encryption Complication (any attempt to access the controls of the yacht remotely)
Pinched Nerve Complication (Tobin, increasing the Difficulty of any physical action requiring the use of one or both arms)

Treyva Reason (10) + Science (4), TN 14, D1



Forrest assist, Sensors (7) + Science (1), TN 8

OOC: The ship isn't a help; she's certainly not the Drake.

3 Successes, vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 2 Momentum generated. They must be spent or lost.

I want to create an Advantage to help us intercept the beam. I might also spend one from the pool or add one to Threat for More Info, depending on what the initial scan reveals.

OOC: Okay, we'll call this Advantage "Ready for Intercept." (I know, it's terrible.)

Despite the inadequacy of the frigate's sensors, Treyva is able to pinpoint an energy buildup that certainly wasn't there on the Christopher Robin's original approach, and it certainly matches a standard Federation transporter signature. The signature is too deep for an effective transporter lock, but he thinks he can track the direction of the beam.

Bolivar, watching the sensor readings with Treyva, nods mostly to himself and says, "Right. I'll deploy security teams to secure the grounds, and see if we can find that energy signature. I'll keep one on standby here in case we can track Schrepfermann wherever he decides to go."

Are there facilities on the planet other than New Providence? Because we have eyes in New Providence to see if a ship might have started pre-flight....

OOC: New Providence is the only incorporated area on the planet. And, as far as Treyva knows, it is the only settlement of any kind, besides Dietrich's compound.

Seems the most likely, as well as the most logical, place to stash another power piece, doesn't it?

"Sounds like an excellent plan, Commander," Treyva replied. Turning to Sorak and Nishimoto, he said,, "Gentlemen, I'm transferring the coordinates to the main console now; I don't think we can get a lock, but we can certainly track his beam."

The Denobulan leaned back in his seat. "Of course, barring a cloaked ship, the most likely destination is...." He stopped mid-thought, then pulled out his communicator and opened it. "Treyva to Christopher Robin," he said.

OOC: Ooh, this is getting interesting...

"Treyva! Where are you? Is everything okay?" Mia responds from the other end of the line. "Do you need an extraction?"

"Everything is fine," he said. "We're in the transporter room of the Forrest at the moment, trying to finish this mission. Schrepfermann alone is still at large, and might be transporting to the spaceport there. Can you look and see if any ships have started prepping for a quick dust-off?"

"Give me a moment," she says, her voice noticeably brighter than it was a moment ago, and the line goes quiet for a moment. "Five other ships are nearby, but it looks like nothing is imminent; we'll keep you posted."

As the call terminates, the energy signature begins to take shape into a definite transporter beam. Treyva watches it bounce off a mountain-based relay, right at the end of the transporter's range, and a second high-altitude relay that's in line-of-site to New Providence. From there, the signal disappears into the duotronic noise of the colony and its small spaceport.

OOC: Let's do it again. Treyva's Reason + Science vs. Difficulty 2 (due to signal noise), assisted by the Forrest's Sensors (7) + Science (1). Difficulty reduced by 1 for the Ready for Intercept Advantage.

Treyva Reason  (10) + Science  (4), TN 14, D1 after Advantage



Forrest assists, Sensors  (7) + Science  (1), TN8



Let's see how this goes....

OOC: 2 Successes vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated. The Momentum must be spent or lost.

The noise is not insignificant, but Treyva's considerable skill and experience allows him to pick out the transporter beam's termination at the "port of entry" building's public pad at the spaceport.

Thinking about the Momentum spend.

Treyva quickly transferred the data to the transporter console. "Gentlemen, there's your beam; try and grab him!"

Turning to Bolivar, he said, "Deploy to the port of entry building at the spaceport, in case they miss!"

Well, it looks like we might not get the "Snatch him out of his transporter beam" scene I'd kind of envisioned, but this could be cool, too. Either way, he's got a surprise coming.

Treyva stood up, flipping open his communicator as he did so. "Treyva to Christopher Robin. Mia, he appears to be beaming into the port of entry building. Get everyone over there on the double! Reinforcements are on the way."

Okay, so in case we can't snatch him from his transporter beam, we might as well be prepared. To that end, let's spend two Momentum (one just generated, one from the pool) to make a "Garav On the Hunt" Advantage as discussed in the private chat. That should throw some obstacles in Schrepfermann's way....

OOC:
Current
Momentum 6 (1 pending, Treyva; must be spent or lost)
Threat 6

Familiar Systems Advantage (operating or manipulating Schrep's Household Sensor Suite)
Intermix Muckup Complication (any attempt to restore full warp power on the yacht)
Rotating Remote-Access Encryption Complication (any attempt to access the controls of the yacht remotely)
Pinched Nerve Complication (Tobin, increasing the Difficulty of any physical action requiring the use of one or both arms)
Garav on the Hunt Advantage (Forrest Security Team to track down Schrepfermann)

The Chase!
Security Team Lead Insight (8) + Security (2) vs. Difficulty 2 (reduced to 1 by Garav on the Hunt Advantage)


Security Team Assist #1 Insight (8) + Security (2)


Security Team Assist #1 Insight (8) + Security (2)


Schrepfermann Daring (10) + Security (2) vs. Difficulty 1, spending 3 Threat to Create Opportunity, Streetwise Focus applies

OOC: Security Team 0 Successes vs. adjusted Difficulty 1. Failure (and a Complication).
Dietrich 1 Success vs. Difficulty 1. Success (and 2 Complications).

Dietrich wins the contest, but he may not wish he did...

Security Team complication will be "Lost in New Providence." They will no longer be available to assist the PCs find Dietrich.

Dietrich, on the other hand, has to deal with two complications. First, he took too many risks and has become "Conspicuous," hindering further efforts to escape. Second, that risk taking led to him catching his shoulder on a sharp corner in the back alleys of the spaceport area, leading to an "Injured Shoulder," hindering any actions that require the use of his right arm or both arms.

So, I think this is a good opportunity to jump to secondary characters. I think it would be cool to have Miruku, Garav, Nikolai, Zorana, join Dourap in actions.

How is this?
Nolmir as Garav
Doug as Nikolai
Patrick as Zorana
Cole as Miruku

If you folks want to mix it up, or bring in Mia in place of your character, let me know...

I like it. Not only does it change things up, it also gives Nolmir and Renny a chance to take charge since Garav and Miurku would logically be in command...

I like it.

Sounds good to me.

OOC: All right, then. I've added Garav to the supporting characters thread for convenience.

Quote from: Patrick Goodman on January 19, 2020, 04:55:25 PMTreyva stood up, flipping open his communicator as he did so. "Treyva to Christopher Robin. Mia, he appears to be beaming into the port of entry building. Get everyone over there on the double! Reinforcements are on the way."

"Understood," Mia responds as she taps the ship-wide intercom. "Garav, Nikolai, Miruku, Zorana, and Dr. Dourap, gear up and head out. Schrepfermann has escaped from the port of entry building into the spaceport complex, and we need to find him before he disappears altogether."

OOC: The spaceport complex has 11 open air berths on a large tarmac, several "convenience locations" (glorified food processors, heads, and shower facilities) between them, and a port of entry building with a four-pad transporter that marks the only access between the tarmac and the rest of the colony. Six ships, including the Christopher Robin, fill the six nearest berths to the port of entry building. Dietrich has escaped into this area.

Edit: I've added the pdf after saving it a different way to reduce file size. Occupied berths are labeled with the ship type; the small squares are all convenience locations.

Feel free to devise a plan. Garav is the real security expert among the crew, so he'll likely be the one to take the lead.

Zorana rose quickly from where she'd been reading and punched the comm by the hatch. "On my way, ma'am," she said. Grabbing her tricorder, she hurried towards the gangplank, pausing briefly to retrieve a type-1 phaser from the ship's small weapons locker. She made sure the weapon was set to stun before stuffing it in her pocket.

Nikolai Kolesnikov had just finished a minor adjustment to the Christopher Robin's sensor array when Mrs. Tyler's call to action came over the intercom. He quickly closed the access panel he had open, gathered his tools and his tricorder before meeting Zorana at the small weapons locker. He smiled nervously in greeting and wordlessly followed her lead in procuring a phaser-I from the locker. With a (hopefully) gallant gesture for the yeoman to precede him, the young engineer made his way to the airlock.

Garav finishes his practice hrisal strike as Mia's voice comes over the intercom, then cuts his exercise short as he wipes his brow and heads over to the comm panel in the Robin's cargo bay. He punches the button. "Understood. Everyone meet at the airlock ASAP," he adds in clipped tones, falling into old command patterns as he suppresses his excitement.

The Andorian holsters his hrisal and hustles to the airlock, picking up a tricorder and phaser at the equipment locker on the way. He nods briskly at the others once everyone has arrived. "OK, let's split into two teams and sweep around the sides of the spaceport until we meet back up. Nikolai, Zorana and Dr. Dourap, you go left, and Miruku and I will go right. Any questions?"

OOC: Obviously, Garav is the security expert, not me, so feel free to pipe up if you have a better idea.  ;)

Zorana nodded. "Aye, sir," she said, and headed down the gangplank. To Nikolai, she said, "I sure hope I'm not the one who has to shoot him, sir. I'm a terrible shot."

Miruku had arrived at the airlock at a run, grateful to have not missed Garav's deployment orders. She felt the reassuring bulge of the phaser in her pocket and acknowledged the Andorian's order with a nod. She stepped aside to allow him to lead them out into the spaceport.

OOC: I included the map on my previous post, so that should give you a better visual than the ASCII plot I had up there.

Each berth is open...essentially, it's just a marked-off area with a group of small free-standing enclosures that provide shore power, a comm panel, and emergency support (mostly firefighting equipment).

For search purposes (and combat, if it's required), we'll consider each berth a zone (11), each open area that includes a convenience location and the space to the right of it a zone (6), each corner of the enclosed spaceport area a zone (4), the area just below the port of entry building a zone, and the port of entry building itself a zone. That gives us 23 zones.

The crew fans out in two teams, with Mia staying behind on the ship to coordinate things between them. The engineer, yeoman, and doctor head out to the area between a pair of merchantmen; the Andorian and the navigator aim for the convenience location directly between the ship and the port of entry building.

OOC: Each team shall make an Insight + Security task vs. Difficulty 2 (reduced to Difficulty 1 due to Dietrich's Conspicuous Complication). One character will lead, and the others will assist.

Decide who will attempt the main task.

This task will not necessarily result in finding Dietrich, but will give you folks a more-specific idea of where he is within the spaceport.

Nikolai smiles reassuringly to Zorana, "Not to worry. Garav will shoot. He's quite good at it."

OOC: Both Zorana and the doc have a better chance than Nikolai. I'll assist for all the good it'll do. :)

For purposes of reference:

Dourap: Insight 10, Security 1
Nikolai: I 8, S 2
Zorana: I 10, S 1

So Dourap and I are tied stat-wise, it seems. I'll take lead to save time.

Let's see how this goes.

I'll take it.

Nikolai's assist:

D'oh! Should have been 1d20. Ignore second roll. Another success from Nikolai for a total of 3 so far...

OOC: Rolling for Dourap for expediency.

Dourap Insight (10) + Security (1)

OOC: 4 Successes vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 3 Momentum generated.

You folks will need to spend 2 Momentum or lose them. (Since we moved to a new scene, your Momentum Pool total should have dropped by 1, to 5.)

We'll wait for Garav and Miruku's task before I describe the next phase.

I'd like to use the 2 Momentum to give us another advantage, like "Thinking Like As Engineer" that will help us narrow down where he's headed. What do you guys think?

Works for me.

Or better yet, is there a tool Starfleet engineers would rather die than be without that emits a particular energy signature? We could call it (wait for it...)

"Hoist On Your Own Polaric Probe."

OOC: Garav has the better stats for this, so I'll take the lead for our team.

Insight 10 + Security 5:

OOC: Miruku rolls in support

Insight 8 + Security 2

Perhaps the Advantage (or Complication for Schrep) could be something as prosaic as "Slow Day at the Spaceport" or something. Just not as much of a crowd to blend into today.

Another question: In this situation, what else could we usethat Momentum for? Between Team 1 and Team 2, there appear to be three use-or-lose points on the table.

OOC: For Garav and Miruku, we have 2 Successes vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated.

Team 1 has 3 Momentum to spend, and Team 2 has 1 Momentum to spend. Between the two teams, 3 Momentum must be spent or lost.

So far, we have suggestions for either the Hoisted on Your Own Polaric Probe Complication for Schrep, or the Slow Day at the Spaceport Advantage for the teams. (Of course, you could spend 4 Momentum and take both, making his task more difficult and yours easier.)

You can "pre-spend" so to speak, on Create Opportunity. You can also spend Momentum to have a specific tool or weapon that requires an Opportunity spend to carry. I'd allow Obtain Information, too, to narrow down where he is even further (say, by asking one of the other folks around a the spaceport if they saw a man matching Schrep's description.

I say we spend 4 and do both. :)

It would solve the excess Momentum issue pretty neatly. Sure, fire it up.

Yep, I say we spend the 4, all in.

OOC: 4 Momentum spent, one to create an Advantage for the teams, and one to create a Complication for Dietrich.

Current
Momentum 5
Threat 6

Familiar Systems Advantage (operating or manipulating Schrep's Household Sensor Suite)
Intermix Muckup Complication (any attempt to restore full warp power on the yacht)
Rotating Remote-Access Encryption Complication (any attempt to access the controls of the yacht remotely)
Pinched Nerve Complication (Tobin, increasing the Difficulty of any physical action requiring the use of one or both arms)
Hoisted on Your Own Polaric Probe Complication (Dietrich, increased Difficulty to avoid detection due to carrying his favorite tool that emits a recognizable signal, even when in standby)
Slow Day at the Spaceport Advantage (Team 1 & Team 2, hunting down Dietrich)

The two groups survey the grounds, seeing that the foot traffic is light; apparently, the other crews are either out in the colony or spending time aboard ship. Garav and Miruku circle around past the port of entry building, toward the gap between the two merchantmen. Meanwhile, the trio of Nikolai, Zorana, and Dr. Dourap followed a path that wound around the three outer convenience locations; they encounter a technician and inquire about Schrepfermann, but the tech says he hasn't seen anyone come his way for more than an hour.

As both teams continue, they come to realize there's only three places where Captain Schrepfermann could be: the last Fespar or the two convenience locations flanking it.

OOC: Okay, the Fespar in question is the on the left of the map, and the two convenience locations are the two furthest-left boxes (flanking it high and low). I've shaded the two teams orange, and the three possible locations in cardinal red. How do you folks want to proceed?

Well, Zorana is carrying a tricorder. Granted, she usually carries it for recording log entries and taking notes and stuff, but it is something she routinely has on her.

Pocketing her phaser, Zorana lifted her tricorder and scanned the general area they were approaching. "He's running out of places to hide, sir," she said to Nikolai. "Isn't he?"

That should give the young engineer a chance to see the toolkit's signature if we spot it.  My theory on that Complication is that the ship needed some last-minute tweaks, so Schrep grabbed his tools en route, and he underestimated everyone involved. Even Treyva.

Assuming Reason + Science for the tricorder scan.

Zorana Reason (9) + Science (2), TN11

Nikolai, also reached for his tricorder, but stopped, Hoffa eyes wide. With a muttered, "Durak! Ochevidno!" he slapped his forehead with his spare hand. "Schrepfermann's and engineer! The first unwritten rule of Starfleet Engineering is 'always have your polaric probe.' Is the most versatile tool in our arsenal. It also emits a specific polaric signature even on standby. After decades in engineering, I bet a weekend on Rigel he still carries one with him everywhere he goes!"

Nikolai's Assist:

Reason (11) + Science (3), TN 14:

OOC: A tricorder is a tricorder. :)

2 Successes vs. Difficulty 1. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated. Spend or bank?

To Zorana, the tricorder shows a strange reading, some sort of device in close proximity to the Fespar, near the primary airlock. To the trained eye of Nikolai, however, it can't be anything but a polaric probe. An engineer - a Starfleet engineer - is at that ship's airlock.

Nikolai flipped open his communicator, "He's at the Felspar! Probably trying to pick the airlock!" He switched his tricorder to his off hand and pulls his phaser as he rushed toward the ship.

"Acknowledged," Garav replies, exchanging a glance with Miruku, "we're on our way." He draws his phaser and advances quickly on the Fespar, light on his feet and eyes open for trouble.

Bank it.

Miruku nods in acknowledgment to Garav and likewise, draws her weapon, keeping pace with the lithe Andorian as best she can.

Drawing her own phaser again, Zorana ran ahead to join the rest of the crew. Hopefully, this chase would be over soon.

OOC: So, I'm rolling the attempt of an extended task for, um, no particular reason... Nothing to see here... ;)

Work: 5
Magnitude: 2
Resistance: 1

Some Person's Insight (10) + Engineering (5) vs. Difficulty 2


Progress (7CD)

OOC: 1 Success vs. Difficulty 2. Failure.

Attempt 2.
Some Person's Insight (10) + Engineering (5) vs. Difficulty 2, spending 3 Threat to Create Opportunity


Progress (7CD)

OOC: 3 Successes vs. Difficulty 2. Success, plus 1 Momentum generated. Momentum is spent to reroll the three 0 results.

OOC: Final result is 9 points of Progress vs. 1 Resistance.
8 Work done, reducing work to 0. Breakthrough.
5 or more Work done after reducing by Resistance. Breakthrough.

2 Breakthroughs achieved, task completed in the 2nd Attempt.

The two teams round the Fespar-class cargo ship to find Dietrich Schrepfermann standing on it's access ramp, pressed into the alcove that rimmed the airlock door as he furiously worked some device in a small open panel. Kolesnikov thinks he's attempting to bypass the door's security system via the hardwired systems.

The teams' arrival isn't lost on the disgraced captain, who seemingly doubles his pace.

OOC: Okay, combat rounds!

Garav and Miruku are in Zone 1, on the north side of the berth circle.
The berth circle itself is Zone 2.
Kolesnikov, Zorana, and Dourap are in Zone 3, on the south side of the berth circle.
The ramp and airlock alcove are Zone 4 (which is entirely enclosed within Zone 2), which is where Dietrich is working. This Zone has cover from all other Zones, and is 2 Zones away from Zones 1 & 3.

PCs can act first, who's going?

Hey, Garav! Sic 'em! ;)

Actually, I had another idea before that, but I need to finish work first.

Zorana raised her phaser and pointed it, more or less, at Schrepfermann. Rather than fire, though, she said, "Aren't you tired of running, Captain?" She was slightly startled by her own voice, but carried on. "Because the idea of always looking over my shoulder is tiring to me. And it has to be lonely, too, leaving your family behind. That has to wear on you, too."

She took a breath; no one immediately silenced her, so she went on. "You could see them again if you came home, sir. I'm not supposed to notice, but Katya cries herself to sleep almost every night. She misses you. She's angry, so angry, but you're her papa and she misses you.

"There are five people pointing phasers at you, Captain. It would be really sad if we all had to shoot you. It's over, sir. It's time to come home."

EDIT: Just fixing a typo, and one word I forgot to teeak in the writing process.

Wow...

OOC: That girl has a future in Starfleet, methinks...

Let's go with a Presence + Command vs. Difficulty 1 for Zorana.

Zorana Presence  (9) + Command (4), TN13, Peacemaking Focus

Not spectacular, but made it and avoided a Complication.

Dietrich pauses and peeks out to take a look around, he eyes falling on each of the protagonists surrounding him. With a heavy sigh, he appears to lean against the bulkhead and nods his head.

"Perhaps you're right, young lady," he breathes, defeat heavy on every word. "Perhaps it's time to come home."

The captain of engineering lifts himself from the bulkhead and descends the gangplank. He doesn't raise his hands, but makes no sudden moves, either. He hands his polaric probe and some custom-designed device to Nikolai and allows himself to be searched. He is carrying only a communicator and a few small tools, all of custom design.

Satisfied he's not a danger, Garav calls the Forrest. "Six for transport," he says, and they're soon whisked away from the tarmac.

OOC: The principals are in the transporter room; let's return to them. Anyone feel free to start something; and Captain Tyler has arrived, as well.

I'm going to talk to Phil, to see if he's having problems getting on the site or something.

Treyva stood in front of the transporter console nervously, unsure of how to feel; Garav had said nothing aside from his request for transport.

He'd watched many people operate a transporter over the years. Chief Nishimoto was extremely good at his job. Almost immediately, the party had materialized on the platform.

And there he was. There was silence for a moment as he faced the man he'd been pursuing for so long. "Hello, Dieter," he said quietly. Turning to Garav, he said, "Report."

"Hello, Treyva," Dieter replies quietly.

Eyeing both captain's Treyva and Tyler, Garav unconsciously straightens up and announces, "We apprehended the suspect attempting to break into a merchant ship on the tarmac. He was unarmed, and only carried some tools." The Andorian gestures to Nikolai, who presents a handful of devices, all but one unfamiliar to even Sorak.

"Yeoman Zorana was able to get him to surrender peacefully."

Treyva nodded. "No shots were fired?" The Andorian shook his head. "Well, I know how much you like to shoot things, so for you, I'm sorry. I am, however, glad this was resolved peacefully." He turned to Zorana. "You talked him down?"

Zorana nodded. "Aye, sir."

Treyva smiled. "Excellent work, Yeoman."

She smiled in return. "Thank you, Captain."

Treyva turned to Captain Tyler. "Captain, I would be grateful if you would have Captain Schrepfermann escorted to your brig, please." He looked at Schrep. "We'll talk later."

Dietrich appears to appreciate the prospect of a talk, and smiles slightly - a genuine smile - as he nods in response.

"With pleasure, Captain," Tyler replies and turns to his security chief. "Separate him from the other prisoners."

"That may not be possible, sir," the lieutenant commander responds. "The brig is already at capacity with all of the personnel being brought up from the compound."

Tyler rolls his eyes. "Biggest warship this side of the Excelsior, and they can't give us a decent-sized brig," he quips. "Very well, confine him to guest quarters on Deck 9. Disable all controls and access."

"Aye, sir."

Jose casts an apologetic glance at Treyva as Dietrich is led away, then adds, "C'mon, let me buy you folks a coffee..."

*~*~*~*

Captain's Log, Stardate 8788.3: Fugitive Starfleet officers Niro and Schrepfermann have been apprehended at the New Providence colony on Jouret IV and secured on board for transport to Starbase 24 for processing. I'm told the two officers will be then taken to Earth for court martial, and their crew will be investigated and tried on Starbase 24 or released to their home governments. I wish to include in my log that the following personnel acted with gallantry far above the call of duty: Captain Treyva of the Drake and the officers under his command - Commander Sorak, Lieutenant Commander Les, Doctor Dourap, Lieutenant Cole, Lieutenant Kolesnikov, Lieutenant, junior grade, Bong, Ensign Schrepfermann, Yeoman Zorana, Specialist Banks. Special thanks must also be given to our non-Starfleet allies in this effort: Commander Garav of the Andorian Defense Force and Lieutenant Sorval of the Klingon Empire.

I - I never thought I'd say that...

The Forrest has entered warp, with the Christopher Robin in tow (since the Katarina's Shield is in the shuttlebay), and is traveling at a relatively leisurely pace toward Starbase 24.

OOC: You folks have an opportunity to roleplay here, which includes confronting old friends/longtime enemies as you desire...

As the crew excited the transporter room, Sorak leaned closer to his assistant and raised an eyebrow, "Tracking using the polaric probe's emissions? An inspired choice, Lieutenant."

The younger man beamed at the compliment and shrugged humbly, "Some times it's good to think like an engineer, sir."

Sorak delivered his patented half-smile. "It is indeed. Well done."

OOC: Late to the party but congrats to patrick on that Zorana scene. Great work.

Treyva wasn't sure he was ready for this, but the turbolift doors hissed open and forced the issue. He strode out purposefully and approached the two guards outside Schrepfermann's quarters/cell. He was still in civilian clothes, but the Forrest's security officers recognized him. "Captain Tyler said you might be coming down, sir," a young Human woman with cinnamon-colored skin said. She and her partner, an Andorian man, both drew their phasers and faced the door. She pushed an intercom button and said, "Captain Schrepfermann, you have a visitor. Please stand away from the door. Do not attempt to leave or we will fire on you."

"Understood."

Looking at Treyva, she said, "Just knock when you're finished, Captain."

Treyva nodded and said, "Thank you, Lieutenant." The security officer turned back to the door, aimed her weapon, and used her free hand to key the manual door control.

The door hissed open, and Treyva entered. Dietrich was standing on the far side of the room. He was dressed in a nondescript engineering jumpsuit; the ship's doctor had treated the shoulder wound he had incurred during his last escape attempt. "Hello, Treyva," he said. "Please, have a seat." The disgraced captain sat in one of the armchairs in the room.

Treyva shook his head. "I doubt I'll be here that long, Dietrich," he said in a low voice.

"I see."

Treyva looked at him for a few moments. "Your reputation is one of meticulous planning and attention to details, not for your improvisational tendencies," he began, "so I'm curious about how long you actually planned to betray your oath. Your wife and children. Your friends. Me!"

Guest Quarters, Deck 9
Anger was met with anger; Dietrich shot up from his seat and, eyes hardened and full of fire, leans in.

"I am upholding my oath!" he hissed. "You're blind to the danger; you're all blind to it, ever since that whale probe incident! The Klingons won't stop; they won't be reasonable. They will start a war on their terms, and we won't stand a chance. To save my beloved Federation, to protect my wife and children, I had to act!"

Suddenly remembering himself, he steps back and clears his throat, tugging awkwardly on the sides of the jumpsuit, then turns away. "I'm sorry, my friend. You're entitled to your rebuke; I know that I've done terrible things in my fervor for my cause, even as righteous as I believe that cause to be."

Turning around again, he explains, "I was privy to the full report on the incident with the Enterprise at the Mutara Nebula. The Klingons were the aggressors there; they murdered a scientist closely connected to Captain Kirk in an attempt to turn a terraforming device into a super weapon. A few months later, the Klingon ambassador declared there would be 'no peace' with the Federation; it was then that I knew I had to do something. I spent a year pleading with the chain of command, from Commodore Krane to admirals Morrow and Cartwright, before it became clear they didn't have my foresight. It was then I decided I must act on my own."

Aboard the Katarina's Shield...
Sorak and Nikolai work to restore full warp functionality and controls on the yacht; it's a slow process, but remains a good engineering exercise for the pair on the long journey to Starbase 24.

The Vulcan is in the cockpit, monitoring indicators as Nikolai tests individual conduits in the access panel just outside engineering.

"Circuit Four-X-Ray-Bravo," the Russian calls out. The readout shows clear, and Sorak responds as such, just as his ears pick up the faint sounds of soft footsteps coming from the airlock. He turns his head slightly to see a young human yeoman round the corner into the central corridor, looking both ways and heading to the bridge when he spies the commander.

"Sir, we just received a communique for you from a Lieutenant Sovar on the Drake," the yeoman says, handing over an electronic pad.

The message reads:

QuoteCommander, I felt it was important to send you an update on the progress of our repairs as soon as we knew you were capable of communications.

Given the extensive damage the Drake has received our most-recent skirmish, Starbase 24's chief engineer has put a halt to all repair activity to perform a full assessment on the viability of the Drake as a fighting vessel moving forward. This is a formal inquiry, and will be ongoing by the time you return. Commander Trudeau offered his opinion that, given her age and condition, the Drake will likely be recommended for decommissioning.

Sovar

Curious about the report, Nikolai joins Sorak in the cockpit and waits patiently for his chief to relay the news.

OOC: You know that Commander Trudeau is the chief of Starbase 24's repair facility.

Rec Lounge, Deck 11
"Okay, if someone plays a suit, you have to play a card from the same suit, if you have it; if you don't have a card from that suit, you can play any card. Now, if you play a spade, that card then 'trumps' the highest card from the original suit. If you don't play a spade, you can get rid of low cards from your other two suits, so they don't hurt you and your partner later. The highest card wins the trick, and counts toward your score at the end of the hand."

Cole, Tobin, Miruku, and Katya sit around a table in the rec lounge for a game of spades, the navigator explaining the game to the Trill science officer, who had only seen it played once or twice at the academy.

"At the beginning of the hand, once you have your cards, you and Cole will figure out how many tricks you can take out of your own hand, and without revealing the contents of your hand to your partner, bid on what we call the contract," Miruku continues.

"That's right; if you reach your bid at the end of the hand, you get 10 times your bid, and if you don't, you lose 10 times your bid," Katya chimes in. "It's going to take some time to get back into the swing of this. I don't think I've played since second year."

"I grew up playing; dad didn't let us gamble on the ship, so gin and spades were the games of choice," Miruku replies. "How about you, Cole, when did you first learn the game?"

Sorak took the pad from the young human and thanked him for his assistance. He then read the message from the senior engineer currently aboard the Drake. And then he read it again. And again. As he finished his fourth read-through, Nikolai entered the cockpit.

"It's there a problem at home, sir?" The young Russian was nervous because he had never seen his superior so... closed off before. If anything, it made the already implacable Vulcan even more so.

Sorak, his eyes focused on something in the middle distance, blinked and then regarded his protege with an expression only those who knew him best would recognize as troubled. Handing the pad to Nikolai, Sorak nodded. "Indeed. It seems we are once more at the crux of the future moving onward."

Nikolai read the message twice before hissing a Russian epithet under his breath. He jerked his gaze up to meet the Vulcan's eyes and cried out, "They can't be serious! The Drake has plenty of lightyears left in her!"

Sorak nodded, his expression still troubled, "Indeed, she does. However, I find myself having what you humans call 'mixed feelings.' On the one hand, she is a good ship with a good crew and just needs a chance to prove that outdated does not equate obsolete. On the other, the history of the Drake is replete with numerous 'second chances.' Which choice is most logical? Opposing decommissioning to take just one more chance, or bowing to the inevitable and spending our energies on the ship to come? Which option serves the greatest good? I find myself at an impasse."

The engineer took the pad back and looked Nikolai in the eye. "I require more data. Signal Sovar and have him forward all data he has on the Drake's current state, planned repairs, any recent stress and materials tests. Anything the inquiry will use to make their decision. Use my full authority to have it sent a soon as possible." He turned and left the yacht, saying over his shoulder, "I must inform the Captain."

Tobin nods along as the younger officers explain the game, his expression serious and intent.

Quote"At the beginning of the hand, once you have your cards, you and Cole will figure out how many tricks you can take out of your own hand, and without revealing the contents of your hand to your partner, bid on what we call the contract," Miruku continues.

"Ah, I see. I suppose the trick lies in properly evaluating the strength of your hand while accounting for what your partner may or may not have. An intriguing teamwork exercise."

Quote from: Davy, aka GM on January 31, 2020, 12:20:39 PM

"I grew up playing; dad didn't let us gamble on the ship, so gin and spades were the games of choice," Miruku replies. "How about you, Cole, when did you first learn the game?"

Cole grinned broadly in recollection.

"I grew up in rural Australia. Not much else to do as a kid apart from chase the sheep and learn to play cards."

Rec Lounge, Deck 11

Quote from: Nolmir on January 31, 2020, 10:12:51 PM"Ah, I see. I suppose the trick lies in properly evaluating the strength of your hand while accounting for what your partner may or may not have. An intriguing teamwork exercise."

"See?" Katya quips. "I told you the scientist would pick it up quickly."

Miruku giggles, flashing a warm smile at the Trill.

Quote from: Renny on February 01, 2020, 02:36:09 AM"I grew up in rural Australia. Not much else to do as a kid apart from chase the sheep and learn to play cards."

"I figured you for a farm boy," the navigator teases. "So, you went from shepherd to security guard?"

Katarina snickers and shakes her head, turning to Tobin to rescue Cole from having to answer the ribbing. "So, I had a classmate at the academy whose dad was a liaison for the Trill consulate in Hong Kong," she recounted. "He told me that the consul and his staff would never use the transporter; they'd rather take a four hour flitter ride than beam across a continent. Once, when they were touring some ancient shrine in Thailand, his pregnant wife went into early labor. Instead of beaming the consul's doctor over from Hong Kong, they flew him there, all the while refusing to allow the local staff to treat her.

"Ling's father told him later that the consul explained it as a 'religious' thing. Have you heard of such a taboo?"

Tobin pauses. "Ah, yes. It's a rather common attitude among my people," he replies, before quickly changing the subject.

"So, Cole, how did you like rural life growing up? My mother played the kinor in several orchestras, so we spent most of my childhood in big cities. As a child, I sometimes fantasized about what it would be like to live out in the country." He smiles. "I probably had a rather idealized vision of it, I'm afraid."

"Well, Commander, I love the farm and I miss it every day, and my folks. My parents tried to avoid technology wherever they could. Tried to make us appreciate nature.So it was a pretty rudimentary way of life." His eyes seemed to focus on a point light years distant.

"Ironically it was being in the Outback that led me here. Hard to get away from the lure of the stars when they are all you can see at night."

Treyva stood up a little straighter and sighed. There didn't seem to be any room to reason with the man, but he still felt the need to try. Instead, though, he said, "Who gave you the right to make decisions for trillions of lives? What made the great Dietrich Schrepfermann right and everyone else in Starfleet wrong?" He turned towards the door. "If you could only hear the hubris in your voice. Perhaps your counsel will choose an insanity defense when you're court-martialed." Taking the couple of steps to the door, Treyva knocked and said, "Lieutenant, I'm done here."

Are we headed back to Starbase 24 by way of Korvat? We have a deal with Kainiss to honor.

OOC: You folks are headed directly back to Starbase 24, under orders. Mia is sending an agent to pick up Kainiss.

I've had a busy day today, but I'm trying to get a post written up.

Guest Quarters, Deck 9
Dietrich can only nod ruefully in response, even as it looks for a moment like he wants to say more. The security officer opens the door, she and her partner once again train their phasers on their prisoner as the captain departs.

Science Lab
Days pass, the brief conversation continuing to darken Treyva's mood as he tours the small science lab with the young Denevan lab manager, a lieutenant, j.g., only a few years removed from the academy. He was paying only cursory attention to the science officer's demonstration of his latest experiment when he spied the familiar form of Sorak enter the compartment, the slightest hint of concern breaking through the Vulcan's unflappable composure. Something was clearly on his mind.

OOC: You gents can take it from here.

Rec Lounge
"I must be a glutton for punishment, then," Miruku quips.

Katarina shoots her a look. "You know you love it."

"I do. I really do."

The navigator pauses for a moment of reflection, then turns her attention back to the cards. "Okay, let's do this first hand face up, so you can see how the game flows..."

OOC: Once Treyva and Sorak finish their conversation, we'll move on to the closing scene.

Treyva stopped short as he saw Sorak's expression. "No good has ever come from that look, Sorak," he said, trying to sound more cheerful than he felt. "What's wrong?"

Sorak's brows furrowed momentarily before he stepped forward, offering his Captain the data pad. "It seems I am the bearer of potentially bad news, sir."

Treyva accepted the pad and read Sovar's message. With a resigned expression, he handed the pad back to Sorak with a sigh. "Should have seen that coming a sector away," he said. "I presume you're already preparing our defense?"

The engineer nodded, "Indeed. Lieutenant Kolesnikov is beginning the data gathering process."
He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I must however confess that I am uncertain what would be the best choice in this case. Logic suggests that, while technological advancement and the replacement of outdated equipment is part of the nature of reality, outdated does not logically equate to obsolete. On the other hand, while I am rather emotionally invested in the Drake, I find myself favorably anticipating creating a similar bond with a new ship. Both of my primary decision-making criteria are almost perfectly balanced for and against. As a result, I am uncertain which argument would serve the greatest good in this situation."
He allowed himself a rueful expression, "I find uncertainty to be a less than pleasant experience, sir."

Treyva nodded. "It's not my favorite thing either. Paula taught me an old Human expression her aunt uses occasionally: 'Well, this sucks out loud.' Which goes well with how I'm feeling right now anyway...."

He resumed his walk towards the turbolift. "I've done this with the Drake before, but they weren't so interested in her use as a 'fighting ship' then. They were more concerned with her research and exploration capabilities, which is where I think her greatest use to Starfleet still lies."

The door to the lift opened and both men entered. "At the moment, it's also the testbed for Sonek's structural integrity improvements; we should be sure to bring that up. It could revolutionize ship design for generations to come."

The doors hissed shut. "She's a good ship, and deserves better than she's getting. Win or lose, I'm not giving up on her without a fight."

OOC: No real destination, just seemed like a reasonable place to go. I think I'm done unless Doug has more to add.

Captain s Log, Stardate 8804.7: We have returned to Starbase 24 and handed Captain Schrepfermann and Lieutenant Niro over starbase security for transport to Earth. I return to my day job with some trepidation, as the Drake herself is in peril from the ravages of time and the constancy of the bureaucratic process. Even my first officer and chief engineer is on the fence as to how hard we should fight the formal inquiry into the disposition of a ship I have called home for many, many years.

Regardless, I'm going to fight; the Drake has plenty of life left in her, and Sonek's structural integrity improvements deserve more time to prove themselves.

OOC: Time for Reputation tasks. All five PCs have complied with all orders and directives, and, as I stated in the Jose Tyler's captain's log, all PCs have been noted as performing above and beyond the call of duty. So, you folks start with 2 positive Influences. Please go back to through the episode to look at your character's actions, and PM me with any other positive or negative Influences you see for them.

The second thing we need to do is determine the fate of the Drake. This was something I saw as an opportunity after the Drake took extensive damage at the end of Episode 1.12, so I figured I'd put it up to you gents and include it as a possibility within the story line.

The choices are:

1. The crew successfully convinces Commander Trudeau to recommend the Drake for repair and return to active service, and Season 2 will open at the end of repairs and a short shakedown cruise.

2. Commander Trudeau recommends the Drake be taken out of active service and the structural integrity field equipment installed on another ship for continued testing; however, Commodore Krane successfully lobbies Starfleet Command to keep the crew together, and they are rewarded with the brand new Constellation-class USS Drake (NCC-2491).

Each player has one vote.

Sorak nodded at his friend and captain's words. "I shall be guided by you in this, then. I have some additional ideas for gathering information. We will not go quietly, sir."

I'll ping you later with influences. On the ship question, I find myself torn. On the one hand, it's right there in the series title. We've been playing this ship for north of a decade. I'm kind of sentimental about it.

OTOH, it's been north of a decade, and a new ship can come with new challenges. I dig the Constellation's design, and wouldn't mind playing one.

I vote 2.

I feel exactly the same way as Patrick. Consider this seconding his vote.

OOC: I will look at influences later. As far as the ship goes, i'll vote 2 to keep things simple. I like the look of the Constellation Class so happy to move on in that direction.

OOC: Okay, with three votes for change, we will retire the beloved Anton-class USS Drake and have the crew assigned en masse to the new Constellation-class USS Drake. I'll start working on a new ship page. We'll continue with the multirole explorer mission. Once the page is up, I'll let you gents decide what additional Talents to give her.

Regarding current responses for Influences:

I'm a bit on the fence about a deal with the enemy, as I didn't really consider Dareth and Gorvan to be enemies; however, they were potential adversaries, so I think we'll go with it. Treyva and Sorak were the principals in those scenes (I have to reward Sorak for his excellent verbatim delivery :) ), so they'll get an extra positive influence for that.

For directly contributing to saving lives, I can see that for Treyva (and, behind the scenes for Dourap) for promising to counter the toxin in Kainiss ' system.

Steve responded, so here's the final Influences for Reputation:

Treyva - 4 positive, 0 negative
Sorak - 3 positive, 0 negative
Tobin - 2 positive, 0 negative
Dourap - 3 positive, 0 negative
Cole - 2 positive, 0 negative

Sounds good, guys. I was on the fence about the ship too. I'll miss the Drake, but I think it will be fun to have a new ship, and I gotta say the Constellations are pretty cool.

OOC: Okay, gents, I have all the Influences listed in my previous post. Please go ahead with your Reputation Tasks.

Treyva Reputation Task
Reputation 16
Rank Privilege 4
Responsibility Range 17-20

Positive Influences 4
Negative Influences 0


Appendages crossed....

Might be buying another decoration shortly...

OOC: 4 Successes vs. Difficulty 0. 4 Reputation points earned.

Remember, as captain, you can also give those out to your subordinates.

It's kind of selfish, but with this being so personal for him, I kinda want Trey to get something out of this for himself.

OOC: 100 percent acceptable. :)

OOC: To make it easy on folks, here are the Privilege (treat like a Focus in your task roll) and Responsibility (treat like a Complication Range) for each character:

Sorak P - 3, R - 18-20
Tobin P - 2, R - 19-20
Dourap P - 2, R -19-20
Cole P - 2, R - 19-20

Note that Responsibility only comes into play if the character fails their Reputation Task. Since you folks have 0 negative influences, there's no way to fail the Task.

For expediency, I'll roll for Phil.

Dourap Reputation Roll (Reputation 12, Privilege 2, Responsibility 19-20) vs. 0 Negative Influences

The good doctor's Reputation is starting to take off. (+3 Reputation).

Sorak Reputation Task
Reputation 10
Rank Privilege 3
Responsibility Range 18-20

Positive Influences 3
Negative Influences 0

Looks like +1 Reputation for a total of 11.

Cole Reputation Task
Reputation 10
Rank Privilege 2
Responsibility Range 19-20

Positive Influences 2
Negative Influences 0

That would seem to be 2 successes for a new Reputation score of 12.

OOC: Milestones!

For this episode, Treyva receives his 7th Milestone (ARC), Sorak his 6th (Spotlight), Dourap his 4th (Spotlight), Cole his 2nd (Spotlight), and Tobin his 1st (Spotlight).

Remember, each type of Milestone also grants you the next lower type of Milestone.

So, if you're receiving a Spotlight Milestone, you also receive a Normal Milestone. If you're receiving an Arc Milestone, you also receive a Spotlight Milestone and (through the Spotlight) a Normal Milestone.

If you choose to save one of your Milestones for later use, please note that (and how many total you have saved of each type). So, you could conceivably spend your Spotlight Milestone, but save the Normal Milestone that comes with it (which has an in game benefit...see Reply 6 in the STA Rules Clarification thread).

Tobin reputation task
Reputation 10
Rank Privilege 2
Responsibility Range 19-20

Looks like 1 success for a new reputation of 11.

OOC: Thinking about Milestones but probably wont post until tomorrow. Apologies for the delay. My daughter is flying to Russia with her school tomorrow and I have to be up at 2am to take her to the airport

Important stuff. No worries.