Eolo says, "log on"

[rpg] * Garue has joined the channel.

[SotC] * Garue has joined the channel.

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Should we have introductions?"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "join these channels, log on, I've already had it with this bossiness"

GM says, "so let's see"

[rpg] Squee says, "Sounds good"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I am Tesher Bendros, a smuggler who is good at disguising himself and talking his way past border guards and stuff like that, with an old ship with lots of hiding places on it for contraband."

GM says, "I guess first we will run down characters, then I will go over rules, then we will get going"

[rpg] GM asks, "Reig?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Zagor's the name, complicated criminal psychology used to be the game. But I got bored with all that and decided I'd take some time out to see the provinces."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Criminals are a cowardly, superstitious lot... but not all that interesting."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Well, there are *real* criminals out here, not just squabbling admirals and vice-lackeys."

[GalaxyPrincess] Reig says, "I'm Reig, a smallish shapeshifter of the mechanical variety (I literally rearrange my skeletal structure when changing). I currently look like a slightly largish cat with brown fur, but expect that to change. I work with Tesher and am secretly a spy for the Rebellion."

[GalaxyPrincess] Reig says, "ha, channel."

[rpg] GM asks, "er, ok, or someone else -- Squee?"

[rpg] Reig says, "I'm Reig, a smallish shapeshifter of the mechanical variety (I literally rearrange my skeletal structure when changing). I currently look like a slightly largish cat with brown fur, but expect that to change. I work with Tesher and am secretly a spy for the Rebellion."

[rpg] GM says, "ah, there"

[rpg] Squee says, "Squee Matel was raised by droids. This made him sort of weird, but he's got a deft hand with droids. Especially his robotic cybernetic hand. He wishes the Empire would stop enforcing crippleware."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "I hope your skeleton makes that ol' Transformers sound."

[rpg] GM says, "I think we are going to amend this to 'spy for various resistance movements' -- there isn't quite the same organized rebellion as there is in star wars"

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Ha."

[rpg] GM says, "though there are definitely a bunch of groups"

[rpg] Reig says, "Sure, sounds good."

[rpg] GM says, "(some more ethical than others)"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "There's the People's Liberation Front, the People's Front for Liberation, etc etc"

[rpg] GM asks, "let's see, Heron? Or Garue?"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Yay."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "not to mention the Droid's Liberation Front, but nobody takes them seriously"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "(Also, this is Roger, for those keeping score at home)"

[rpg] Garue says, "Garue?s childhood was spent as part of a mining gang on a heavy-metal Imperial planet, wielding a pick since he was five. He learned early that being the biggest baddest guy in the gang gave him a certain measure of authority in the group, with the smaller kids looking up to him, following his orders, and he looked out for them in turn. Garue makes a decent living as muscle-for-hire on the fringe of the galaxy where might makes right. Over the years, he has fine-tuned his ability to read people helping him prevent situations from deteriorating."

[rpg] Garue says, "also, Garue = Sara"

[rpg] Heron says, "Heron van der Sluijs was a model citizen and an imperial engineer with the rank of Lt. Commander. Then he met a pretty smuggler and ran off with him."

[rpg] GM says, "great, I think that's everyone"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Where's heron's character sheet, again?"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "I think some people need to type 'dtt'."

[rpg] Heron says, "https://simon.a-oben.org/pages/heron.txt"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "To get to the right room."

[rpg] GM says, "oh yeah, Heron, come to the room"

[rpg] Heron frantically looks around.

[rpg] GM says, "also, @join #crows-nest"

[rpg] GM says, "type dtt"

[Crows-Nest] * Heron has joined the channel.

Heron has arrived.

GM says, "now we're talkin'"

GM says, "anyway, brief rules overview"

GM says, "if your skill is (say) good, you type 'roll good'"

GM says, "if you have a bonus or penalty, you do 'roll good + 2'"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Roll good, like a PC should."

GM says, "er -- 'fudge good' and 'fudge good + 2', sorry"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 0 | Great (4)

[Crows-Nest] Zagor asks, "Wait, what?"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "That doesn't sound nearly as good."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"

Heron rolls Great (4) -1 + 4dF: 0 0 0 0 | Good (3)

GM says, "if you don't like the result, you can spend a fate point (of which you have 5 this session, which reset to 5 next session)"

Squee rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Average (1)

GM says, "to spend a fate point, you need a relevant aspect -- so Tesher might, say, whip out something from a pocket to help him on a disguise roll"

Squee says, "Oh my"

GM says, "when you spend the fate point, you can either add 2 to the result, or reroll the dice (usually the better bet if you're at -3 or -4)"

Zagor asks (of GM), "Are boons a type of aspect?"

GM says, "when you roll, you're doing one of three things: trying to damage someone directly (either physically or socially/mentally), trying to prevent someone from doing something, or trying to set up an aspect"

GM says, "the last is called a maneuver -- if you succeed in the roll you put an aspect on the person, which you or someone else of your choosing can tag once for free, without paying a fate point"

GM says, "so one person could get the bad guy Off-Balance and then another person take advantage of that to punch them"

GM says (to Zagor), "boons are the "mechanical" part associated with the aspect"

Zagor says, "OK, I think I got it."

GM says, "they don't (generally) cost a fate point to use, you just get them when they apply"

Tesher asks, "To clarify: spending a Fate point for the +2 on disguise from pockets would be in addition to the +2 from the boon attached to that same aspect, right?"

GM says, "yeah"

GM says, "so, right, you could also use the aspect for other situations where having lots of pockets would be useful"

GM says, "maybe an advanced sorting algorithm"

GM says, "the other use of aspects on your opponents is tagging for effect rather than for a roll bonus"

GM says, "if the guy is Off-Balance, you can pay a fate point to me to suggest he falls over"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Hee hee sorting."

Heron says, "You could put different colors of gum in the pockets and call it bubblesort."

GM says, "ha ha"

GM says, "this is a "suggestion", but I'll generally be up for it if it's good"

GM says, "let's see"

GM says, "oh, and in terms of damage"

Reig asks, "And there's no character action that precipitates it?"

Reig says, "(the suggestion)"

GM says (to Reig), "you don't have to make a roll, although it'll probably often make sense for you to provide some story justification"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor's damage mainly stems from his childhood, in a stuffy boarding school on New New Caledonia.

[rpg] Reig says, "Hmm, I should probably actually keep track of fate points this time."

GM says, "so, right, damage -- we'll be using the crazy consequences-only rule this session and seeing how it goes"

GM says, "basically, if you get hit, you have to take a consequence, which is an aspect you put on yourself, which has to be related to the hit you just took, and bad"

Squee says, "Carnage everywhere"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "No tracks? Huh."

Zagor says, "Hands everywhere."

GM says, "the three consequences are "2 damage or less", "4 damage or less", and "6 damage or less""

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "I guess it's a good thing I didn't waste my time trying to remember how the tracks worked :)"

GM says, "if you get hit for, say, 3 damage, you can only take one of the latter two"

GM says, "if you get hit for 6, you could take both the first two or the third"

Reig asks, "Does Endurance affect this at all?"

GM says, "if you need to take one and can't, then you're out for the fight"

GM says, "nope, sorry"

GM says, "(if this turns out to be totally lame I will revise for next session)"

Zagor asks, "Oh, and you can only take one of each?"

GM says, "right"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther asks, "are these consequences (aspects) listed somewhere?"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther asks, "or do you make one up?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "make them up"

GM says, "you can, if you prefer, offer a concession to get out of the fight early"

GM says, "which, again, I'll generally take if it's awesome"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "so it could be "on fire""

GM says, "I think that's it"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "I hope it is!"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Oh dear, and it took weeks to get this beard just right."

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "'The arch-bishop makes an excellent theological point which you are unable to counter.' 'I... guess I'm on fire now.'"

GM says, "ok, so, it appears to me we have sort of a four-person smuggler subset here, with Tesher, Reig, Garue acting as muscle, and Heron having just fallen in on them"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

GM says, "and then we have Zagor and Squee"

Zagor says, "I figure I'm trying to travel under the radar, and I would pick out a useful smuggler fairly easily via telepathy."

GM says, "so what I propose is Zagor has stumbled across something noteworthy, pulled Squee in to help investigate, and then made smuggler contacts when he needs more shady help"

Zagor says, "Oh, or that."

GM says, "(how Zagor knows Squee is up to you guys, but perhaps you're both academics)"

Zagor says, "I certainly could be."

GM says, "specifically, you're on one of these tiny pointless worlds, Bomfia by name, that is basically a couple small cities, a lot of farms, and a local imperial governor to oversee it"

Squee says, "Oh yeah; he's that guy who wrote the glumph compression algorithm in only 12 parsecs."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Garue asks, "so we have a group of smugglers with no burglary skills?"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "This planet sounds like a spell from Enchanter."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "I don't have the crowbar *with* me..."

[rpg] Squee says, "If someone has fancy high endurance, you could make his consequences work 3/5/7, if it's important to the character."

GM says, "Tesher & crew are there letting things cool down after the last job in a nearby system, and Zagor and Squee are there because they're out exploring the edge of the galaxy or something"

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Yeah, I was thinking of subbing out Science for Burglary, but I can keep it as-is if that'd be more interesting."

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says (to Garue), "Yeah, our burglar pulled out."

GM says, "a couple days ago, Zagor was surprised to see somebody he knew to be a pretty important dude, one Count Durok, travelling incognito and meeting with the governor"

Squee says (to Zagor), "I've never seen moisture vapourators this screwed up."

[rpg] Reig asks, "What does 'count' mean in this context?"

Zagor says, "Hmm, I thought Durok never set a foot outside Terra if he could help it."

GM says, "you caught a couple thoughts -- ".. could be useful .. droids .. seize power .. The Abacus" before they closeted themselves in the thought-shielded manor"

Zagor says, "How interesting!"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Then the Count came out of the closet"

GM says, "not unless there's money to be made or power to be grabbed, anyway"

GM asks, "but what would he be doing out here?"

[Crows-Nest] Heron asks, "Who's who again?"

[rpg] GM says, "by this point in imperial history noble titles are totally irregular"

[rpg] GM says, "basically he is in a noble house and has the urge to give himself a title, which means he is either important or wants people to think he is"

[rpg] Reig says, "Sounds good."

GM says, "so, ok, Zagor did some preliminary research on The Abacus, found nothing, pulled in Squee due to the droid connection, found hints of some kind of top-secret historical thing but nothing you could access"

GM says, "so the next step was to find additional help"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Dang timing, was just about to ask Squee to look up The Abacus."

[Crows-Nest] Reig says (to Heron), "Reig - shapeshifter - lpsmith; Zagor - telepath psychologist - Iain; Squee - droid-raised engineer - Roger; Tesher - smuggler/disguise - Jota; Heron - buff engineer - Touchy; Garue - muscle - Sara (my wife)"

GM says, "and you end up meeting all six of you in a tavern back room somewhere, with Durok scheduled to fly out the next day"

[Crows-Nest] Heron asks, "ah shit sorry, I meant like...zagor=iain?"

GM says, "(and go)"

[Crows-Nest] Heron says, "oh it's right there...never mind me..."

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Yes, I listed that too ;-)"

Zagor says (to Tesher), "So I hear you're a good pilot with a sneaky ship."

Tesher asks, "Yep. You looking for one?"

Zagor asks, "If one wanted to *follow* a ship, how easy would it be?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hmm, I assumed we'd want to use the Cool Ship, but maybe we need to investigate further here first."

Tesher says, "Depends how hard the other ship was trying not to be followed. But most ships leave an ion trail a mile wide. Piece of cake to walk their path if it's fresh."

Zagor asks, "But if it was trying?"

Heron stares at the newcomers with a sceptical expression.

[rpg] Squee says, "I'm all for getting off the boring farming rock"

Tesher says, "Oh, well. If they's got a scattering matrix on their exhaust ports, and if they zag their navigation controls, it could be pretty tricky. But not impossible."

Zagor tries to figure out how trustworthy these people are. He thinks they might be interested if he told them everything.

Tesher would likely be interested.

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Ha, Zagor's catch phrase for the arc: "I've got a good feeling about this!""

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

Garue is interested in getting off-planet for a bit.

[rpg] GM says, "well, since they are PCs, I guess we can say you feel they would be reasonably reliable as long as they didn't have a hidden agenda interfering"

Zagor asks, "Did you ever hear of -- please don't say this widely -- The Abacus?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Hee."

[Crows-Nest] Jacqueline says, "I didn't realize you all were playing. I didn't screw up your transcript by logging on Floyd, did I/"

[Crows-Nest] Jacqueline asks, "?"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "aaaabbbbaaaaaccccuuuuuuusssssss"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "nah, I'm using something else"

Zagor says, "I'm not sure exactly who or what it is, but somebody I wouldn't expect to see here is looking for it."

[Crows-Nest] Jacqueline exclaims, "Phew!"

[Crows-Nest] Jacqueline says, "Thanks"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Can I roll Bureaucracy to see if I know of any official Imperial records about The Abacus?"

Heron takes a sip of his beer. Never heard of it.

[rpg] GM says, "it'll take a superb result to know anything at all about the abacus, but yeah, you can totally do so"

Squee says, "As far as I can tell, it's been hidden in the way that only very expensive things are."

Zagor says, "Whatever it is, it brings -- power."

Tesher rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 0 | Good (3)

Tesher says, "Hmm. Doesn't ring a bell. But anything that's been hidden that well has to have a good story behind it."

[rpg] Heron asks, "Can I try, too?"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "I've never heard of it, so it must be true!"

[rpg] GM says, "sure"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"

Heron rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Zagor says, "I could be totally off-base but the 'top-secret historical thing' makes me think of an ancient alien artifact or some such."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Oho"

[rpg] Reig says, "OK, I guess I'll keep Science after all and see if I remember anything from that angle ;-)"

Reig rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Fantastic (6)

[Crows-Nest] Garue says, "All those powerful guys just want more, they never got enough, eh? Lording over the little guys like they's nuthin."

[Crows-Nest] Garue says, "rpg All those powerful guys just want more, they never got enough, eh? Lording over the little guys like they's nuthin."

GM says (to Heron), "you've heard the name but not much more -- basically, as part of your rank you get a list of stuff labelled "REFER TO SUPERIORS IMMEDIATELY IF ANY INFORMATION FOUND REGARDING", and the abacus is on there"

Zagor watches the cogs turning in people's heads.

Zagor says, "I knew I'd found the right people."

GM says (to Reig), "you don't know anything, so it must be applied rather than theoretical, whatever it is"

[rpg] GM says, "anyway, re staying/leaving -- so we're clear, this is all no myth and stuff, so if you want to sneak into the mansion, interesting stuff will happen, and if you want to follow the guy, interesting stuff will also happen, just different interesting stuff"

[rpg] Reig nods.

[rpg] Zagor says, "I feel like we sneak into the mansion in most mud games, so I vote for following that cab."

[rpg] Reig says, "I would be happy with either."

Tesher asks, "So, you got a plan?"

[rpg] Squee says, "I'm not playing a space game to be stuck dirtside, so I guess I'm voting the other way, but I'm flexible."

Tesher asks, "Or is that what you've come to us for?"

Zagor says, "I know which ship Durok is using, and when it's due to leave."

[rpg] GM says, "I think that's not the other way"

Zagor looks to see if anybody recognises the name.

Garue says, "Whatever requires the most bashing"

Heron asks, "Durok?"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Durok, the uncle of Spock."

Tesher asks, "He's your lead on the item?"

GM says, "people who make a good bureaucracy roll know who Durok is (namely, a power-hungry jackass)"

Zagor says, "He's calling himself 'Kirk' and travelling with only a small entourage, but it's Durok all right."

[rpg] Squee says, "Oh yeah, I am voting with Zagor after all."

Heron scowls but keeps quiet.

GM says, "people who don't can probably guess that from the fact that he calls himself 'Count'"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"

GM says, "ok, sounds like you intend to follow the ship"

GM asks, "do you want to do any prep work, or just be ready to leave when it does?"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher asks, "Should we elide the scene where we haggle over money?"

Zagor says, "I regret I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person in my previous career, but perhaps that oversight can be amended."

Heron says, "Sounds dangerous and rewarding. I'm all for it."

[Crows-Nest] Garue says, "I vote for breaking into the mansion"

Squee says, "I replaced the heat sink on the traffic control router just last week; I could probably check in with him and see if I can get an alleged itinery for that ship."

[rpg] Garue says, "I vote for breaking into the mansion"

Heron asks, "You replaced the heat sink on the traffic control router?"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "I think you've been outvoted, sorry! plot is moving on!"

[rpg] Garue says, "but I"m also fine chasing the ship :-)"

Tesher says, "Betsy's just about refuelled. She should be ready by morning. And we've got a floating departure token that we can turn in at any time."

Heron goes off on an engineering tangent.

[rpg] Zagor says, "I expect you'll all want to tool up with blasters and laser-nunchucks and the like. Not my area."

Squee says, "I know, right? Like who uses bi-luminium for that any more? No wonder it melted."

[rpg] Heron gives Zagor a spork.

GM asks (of Squee), "ok, I take it you're just going to make a social visit to the router and see if you can pick up some info?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "What an efficient device!"

Heron says, "How the hell did you even get to work on it they never let anyone touch their toys. Not me anyway."

Squee says (to GM), "Yeah; if we're going to the hangar to launch anyway, it'll be a short detour."

GM says, "if so, roll rapport (or engineering, in your case, I guess), try to get a fair"

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Haha"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "legendary detour"

[rpg] GM says, "dang dude"

Heron asks (of Squee), "Mind if I come with you?"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Like the entire middle of Empire Strikes Back."

Squee says, "I think I can probably get you a tour, sure"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "Later on when our lives are in danger, you'll regret using up those roles."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Yeah, but I'll always have springtime with the traffic controller unit."

GM says, "ok, the two of you stop by on the pretense of checking up on your work, and the computer is happy to see you, since something else burned out since last time"

GM says, ""None of these humans does quality work any more, I should really just take over my -- er, present company excepted, of course!""

Heron Alright, let's see what you've got.

GM says, ""So, let's see, you wanted to do some memory checks to ensure everything was working properly? Which ship log should we access?""

[rpg] Zagor says, "Ha ha."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Ooh, logs. I do wonder where they've been, as well as where they're going."

GM says, "(Meanwhile in a subprocess it is telling you a funny story about a toaster and the governor's wife)"

Squee says, ""Oh, it doesn't really matter... how about, oh, this ship here, that left earlier. The, hrm, 'Cobra Starship', I guess it's called."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

[Crows-Nest] Heron says, "smooth"

Squee pokes at wires and stuff.

GM says, ""Let's see, let's see -- destination Alto (a pleasure-planet sort of world a couple days from here), crew six, owner Tibby Kirk, .. hmm, that's funny, these ids don't check out""

Squee says, ""Let's see... yep, looks like you had a corruption event in the log. Let me just tweak it a bit."

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "Uh-oh. Must be something wrong with the memory check. You'd better do some more 'diagnostics' to be sure."

Heron shoots Squee a warning glance.

Squee wipes out the log of the PC's ships entering, and sets up a daemon to delete our departure.

GM says, ""The serial numbers associated with these parts are for a totally different ship -- there must be some mistake""

Squee says, ""That should take care of this for now, but try to keep the meatbags away from your terminals for a week or two to let the network retrain."

GM says, ""How could I have confused this passenger ship with one of the House Reeft incognito crafts, silly me""

Squee proceeds to Hangar 3.

GM says, ""Absolutely! Do stop by again next time you're in the sector!""

[rpg] GM says, "(I think that is enough chit-chat, but if there is more info you want, we can bring it up later)"

Squee says, ""Least you didn't confuse a toaster with a standard pleasure unit, eh? Haha, alright, keep your checksums valid until next time."

[Crows-Nest] Tesher asks, "Mmm, Karellian roasted meatbags are awesome. Did you know that if you don't have a zapoven, you can re-heat them right on the heat sink of a router?"

Heron asks (of Squee), "Maybe we should have erased Kirk from the logs. We don't want anybody else to come looking for him, do we?"

[rpg] Squee says, "We can cover it in a 'recap' scene on the ship with everyone or something, sure"

Zagor packs a small valise and heads round to Tesher's ship.

GM says, "ok, meanwhile, Tesher is fueled up and ready to go"

Squee says (to Heron), "If he's too incompetent to hide his own secret mission, I'm not inclined to help him out. But if we need to take it out later, sure, I think that could be arranged."

[rpg] Reig asks, "Is Count whoever part of House Reeft, or some other house?"

Zagor says (to Tesher), "This ship seems... smaller on the inside, somehow."

Garue stashes some big weapons and some little weapons, and briefly considers bathing.

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "The old reverse-TARDIS trick."

Heron sniffs at Garue.

[rpg] GM says, "no, actually, he is House Gwyne -- Gwyne and Reeft are always at each other's throats"

[rpg] Reig says, "Oho."

[rpg] Zagor says, "A plot!"

GM exclaims (at Tesher), "so! you're taking off!"

GM asks (of Tesher), "do you want to focus on keeping up with them, or on not being spotted?"

Squee chats up the navcomp.

Tesher says (to Zagor), "Yeah, half the space in here is full of old obsolete junk. I hear that these days you can get a coordinate tracker that'll fit in your hand, but these huge clunkers are the only thing compatible with Betsy's systems..."

Squee asks (of Tesher), "Ever been to Alto?"

[rpg] Tesher asks (of GM), "How hard would it be to do both?"

Tesher asks, "Hmm. Not sure. Is that where the Greasy Spork is?"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[rpg] GM says, "basically, you get one for free, the other you have to roll (stealth or vehicles), difficulty great"

[rpg] Tesher says, "But I am more interested in keeping up than not being spotted."

[rpg] Squee says, "Okay so my ship, The Sensor Error, is just a little cutter that's docked with Betsy. Rowr."

Zagor says, "Could be. I think Alto caters to all tastes."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Since they are the plot, and I'd rather have a plot twist than have the plot get away from us."

[rpg] Reig says, "Heh."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "So I roll stealth?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Hah"

[rpg] Zagor says, "We're so going to get sued by Whedon."

GM says, "Alto is half one of those crystal planets of exquisite beauty and music, and half the remains of an enormous crystal strip-mine"

[rpg] GM says, "sounds good"

[rpg] Squee says, "Wait there's probably some engineering help we can give"

Tesher rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Tesher says, "Hrm. I don't want to start spending fate points yet, so I guess we'll let them spot us."

[rpg] Squee says, "New Age stripminers"

GM says, "whoops, they totally spot you, or else they are just deciding to detour through this asteroid field"

[rpg] Zagor asks (of GM), "For future reference, how big a range would you figure telepathy has?"

GM says, "good vehicles roll"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I figure probably about human hearing range."

[rpg] GM says, "hunh, good question"

Tesher rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

Heron holds on tightly.

Tesher says, "Fasten your inertial dampners."

[rpg] GM says, "I can buy that -- probably you can pick up thoughts further the better you know somebody"

Tesher says, "We're about to --" <hard left>"

Zagor is braced already.

Tesher says, "-- take a few sharp turns."

Squee says, "Swapped in the Maclure adapative struts, eh? Good call."

Reig flattens against the wall (literally)

GM says, "Tesher hits the turn just before an energy bolt contacts the ship -- it whizzes on past and smashes a tiny asteroid to tinier pieces"

Zagor reads Tesher accidentally. "...*70%* chance of survival? Er --"

[rpg] Heron asks, "Is there anything Squee or I could do to help?"

[rpg] Heron says, "Classical rerouting of something to somewhere...."

GM says (to Tesher), "the good news is, you totally avoided the ambush and got a lot closer to Durok's ship -- the bad news is, now the ambush is behind you and deciding just to shoot at you"

[rpg] GM says, "there probably will be in a sec"

Zagor says, "This isn't going entirely to plan. I wonder if we should have made a plan."

GM says, "so it's like (small ships in ambush) ------- (betsy) --- (cobra)"

Tesher says, "So on the plus side, even if we lose Durok, we'll have some of his associates to talk to."

Tesher says, "On the minus side, those associates are trying to kill us."

Tesher exclaims, "But on the doubleplus side, that probably means we're on the trail of something pretty good!"

Zagor says, "I would like to recommend not being killed."

Heron exclaims, "Which doesn't help at all if they kill us so less talking more flying!"

GM says, "the most obvious things to do are to stop and fight off the ambushers, or to try to dodge their bolts as well as possible and keep up with the cobra"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I am up for the latter."

GM says, "or to run away and risk losing both, I guess"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Are these guys definitely in cahoots? Maybe they're just random pirates."

[rpg] Heron asks, "Don't we have any aft cannons?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Although you'd think they'd attack the Cobra."

[rpg] Heron says, "But I'm for following Durkon in any case."

[rpg] Tesher says, "We could send a distress signal to the Cobra informing them that we're being attacked by bandits and require aid."

GM says, "oh yeah, you can also totally try a compromise involving shooting and chasing"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Oho"

[rpg] Garue asks, "Anyone good at ship-size blasters?"

[rpg] Heron says, "If they are working together it's a mediocre joke if they are not Durkon will still not care about us."

[rpg] Reig asks, "Are ship blasters 'Blasters' or 'Exotics'?"

[rpg] GM says, "I think the deal is that normal ship cannons use the blasters skill, and exotic people users can use, I dunno, the tractor beams or something"

[rpg] Heron says, "could possibly be `vehicles', too."

[rpg] GM says, "er, exotic weapon users"

[rpg] Heron says, "Well, blasters I can handle reasonably."

GM asks, "so, plan? fight? chase? run? some combo?"

[rpg] Garue says, "sweet, I'm on the tractor beam"

[rpg] Reig says, "Keep following; try to shoot back in the meantime."

GM asks, "distress signal?"

Zagor says, "We can't lose Durok!"

Tesher says, "If anyone here wants to shoot back, there's radar screen over there, and there's a gunnery console over there. The red blips are hostiles."

GM says, "okey doke"

Squee says, "I'm confident our pilot can lose them in this asteroid field"

Heron says, "Alright, I'll get on the rear blasters."

GM says, "let's see, I think let's handle the shooting first, then Tesher will roll vehicles"

Zagor says, "We can try a distress signal if things go badly. I'm sure I can find some good reason for them to turn round."

Tesher says, "I'd try it myself, but I'm a little busy actually fliying right now."

Garue says, "I'll use the tractor beam to haul a couple asteroids into their path."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Nice."

[rpg] Reig asks, "Can I use Alertness to assist someone? Maybe the pilot?"

GM says, "folks manning cannons, roll blasters, target good; folks with tractor beams, roll exotic, target great"

[rpg] GM says (to Reig), "yeah, definitely (once the shooting stops)"

[rpg] Reig says, "Cool."

Garue hunches over the tractor beam controls

Heron rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 -1 | Great (4)

[rpg] Reig says, "I figure Tesher and I do that all the time, actually."

Squee says, "I'll tweak the tractor beam modulation to resonate with the asteroid structure"

Garue rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Fantastic (6)

GM says (to Squee), "sure, roll engineering and it'll add to her effect"

GM says, "Heron skillfully picks off one follower, which explodes in a ball of energy"

[rpg] Heron says, "yay"

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

GM says, "she was already pretty on-the-beam, but you fine-tune it slightly -- together the two of you grab two enormous asteroids on either side of the "lane", and swing them together just as two ships drive through, smashing the ships like in a giant nutcracker"

GM says, "the flying debris whips out, taking out a third ship"

GM says, "leaving only two left to fire at betsy"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Guys, this is awesome, but we're going to blow our effects budget."

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 0 -1 | Fair (2)

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Hee"

GM says, "uh, not very well"

GM says, "one sizzles close enough to scrape the paint, but the other goes wild as Tesher sends the ship into a zig-zag dodge"

GM says, "meanwhile, at the front of the ship"

GM says (to Reig), "go ahead and roll alertness, target good"

Reig exclaims, "Look! If you dodge around that asteroid, you can use its gravity to slingshot closer to the 'Cobra'!"

Reig rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Good (3)

Tesher says, "Good call."

GM says (to Tesher), "ok, go ahead and roll vehicles, base target fair, with a +1 bonus from Reig's tip"

Tesher rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 0 -1 | Great (4)

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "Whoops, I could have added the bonus automagically."

GM says, "no biggie"

GM says, "let's see"

GM says, "given that, you can either lose the pursuers entirely and not get any closer, or get close enough they probably can't lose you again without changing the situation radically but not lose the pursuers, or do a compromise where you get somewhat closer and get somewhat farther from the pursuers"

[rpg] Squee says, "Maybe one of our ex-Empire bureaucrat characters can try to recognize which House these fighters seem consistent with"

[rpg] Zagor says, "That is a good idea."

Reig is clinging to the celing above Tesher, intently peering out the canopy viewport.

[rpg] Zagor says, "Especially as I'm no use with guns."

[rpg] Garue says, "let's smash 'em"

[rpg] Tesher says, "If we're already pretty close, then we might as well lose the pursuers."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "I keep forgetting we have a giant cat with us"

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "you can roll bureaucracy or alertness for this"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Bureaucracy"

[rpg] GM says, "target of good"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Timing, it takes so long to type bureaucracy."

[rpg] Zagor says, "And I keep typing bureaucrazy."

[rpg] Squee says, "Haha"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Heron asks, "Are there any enemies left to shoot at or can I help Zagor?"

Zagor rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "bureaucracy, the store that is crazy about low prices"

[rpg] Heron says, "Bureaucrazy, it's what the office people have..."

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "we're just finishing up the round here"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "By the way, has our course so far actually taken us in the direction of Alto, or was that just another 'mistaken' in their logs?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "If this is some secret force of assassin pirates, my book of blackmail boon might come into play."

Gunther disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Gunther has arrived.

GM says (to Zagor), "they've got their insignias covered up, but from the lines they totally look like they could be House Reeft, the one Durok is nominally working with but doesn't belong to"

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Same make as the Cobra, then."

[rpg] Reig says, "(except mentioned here)"

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "it has, but Alto is generally back in the direction of "the main part of the galaxy" so it's not totally suprising"

[rpg] GM says, "well, these are smaller fighters and the cobra is more of a VIP courier, but yeah"

[rpg] Reig says, "Sorry, not make, manufacturer/owner; right."

Zagor says, "These are Reeft ships, I'm sure of it. Strip off the decorative piping and the honor-shields, power the blaster cannons above the legal limit..."

GM says, "meanwhile, Tesher does some fancy flying, shoots under one asteroid and through a hastily-blasted hole in another, and the remaining pursuers are left in the dust"

Garue says (to Tesher), "Nice manuevers."

GM says (to Tesher), "and now your comm light is blinking"

Squee says, "That decorative piping is surprisingly load-bearing, I'll have you know."

Tesher says, "Thanks. This is pretty much just like dodging pirates, except that pirates are more worried about damaging the goods."

Tesher hits the switch. "Old Betsy in the ether. Who's got our ear?"

Zagor says, "But no use for speed or stealth, which they have a need for more often than the Emperor knows."

GM says, ""What is the meaning of this?" snaps the woman whose face fills your visiscreen (not Durok and wearing a captain's uniform, so probably his captain/pilot) "Why are you pursuing us? Who were those ships?""

[rpg] Heron asks, "hm...is she lying?"

Tesher says, "We're just headed core-ward, ma'am, same as you. Thought we'd try to do a bit o' hyperparsec-ing in your wake, but I guess one of us stirred up a hive of bandits on the way."

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "seems like an empathy roll! good difficulty"

Tesher says, "Dunno if they were after you or me, but it looks like we got the brunt of it. Might even have to make a stop-over on Alto to clean up the damage."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Too far to get a psychic reading, but I guess there's always the old-fashioned way."

Tesher asks, "But your concern is greatly appreciated -- did you take any hits from them yourself? Need any assistance?"

Zagor rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 -1 | Good (3)

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "I'm imagining the shapechanger taking her face and repeating back all her questions, just to jerk her around"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Curses, I'm out of practice."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Should there be a Rapport roll from me or Reig?"

Heron rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Terrible-1 (-3)

[rpg] Squee says, "Haha"

[rpg] GM says, "only if you're trying to convince her of something"

[rpg] Heron says, "I'm convinced she's Jesus."

[rpg] Tesher says (to GM), "Just that we're friendly fellow-travellers."

[rpg] Heron says, "I forgot that I ditched empathy."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Heh"

Garue tries to get a feel for how hostile she really is

GM says, "the woman has the decency to look embarrassed (not that Heron can work this out). "Sorry," she says, shortly. "We're on an imperial mission or we'd have slowed to assist you.""

[rpg] GM says (to Garue), "roll empathy, difficulty good"

Garue rolls Good (3) +2 + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 -1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Squee says, "Man, that excuse works every time."

[rpg] Squee says, "Why did you sleep with my sister? Imperial mission, ma'am."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

GM says (to Garue,Zagor), "it seems like she was suspicious of you before but isn't quite sure what's going on -- you're willing to guess she wanted to stop but was countermanded"

[rpg] Heron says, "Still bogus. She ain't on no imperial mission with all those forged logs."

GM says, "(s/stop/turn and help/)"

Tesher asks, "Oh, no worries. We usually do goods transport, so we have to deal with parasites like that all the time." He leans back in his seat and props his feet on the console. "So what sort of job do they have you on?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Haha, this guy is awesome."

[rpg] Heron says, "I bet he's hot."

GM says (to Tesher), "if you want to get any information out, rapport roll, difficulty good"

Tesher rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Can Reig assist?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Guys with pet cats are also nice, trustworthy fellows."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Unless they're Bond villains."

Squee says, "(Stage Whisper) I could jigger the engines to make it look like we have a slow leak; they might be inclined to pick us up then."

[rpg] GM says, "uh, he can roll rapport to boost that roll, sure"

Reig drops down from the ceiling into Tesher's lap. "mrow?" he asks, and rubs his nose under Tesher's chin.

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Fantastic (6)

Tesher gives gives Squee a thumbs-up off-camera.

[rpg] Zagor says, "Ha ha ha."

[rpg] Squee says, "I can see him cruising the galaxy, the window rolled down and his arm pressed against the door to make his bicep look bigger."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Hee."

Squee says, "Alright, so, let's see... emergency fuel overpressure relief valve... that should do it."

[rpg] Heron says, "Damn he's cute."

[rpg] Tesher says, "We all know you've just got a fetish for hot smugglers."

GM says, ""oh, that's adorable!" she says. "I don't have anything so nice here, we were switching ships and I had to leave my --" she breaks off at an unpleasantly smooth voice offscreen. "Captain? Have you settled matters?""

[rpg] Heron says, "Yeah, but I'm not talking about you for once Cap'n."

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Was that last comment aimed at me or at someone off-screen?"

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "someone off-screen talking to her"

[rpg] Zagor listens hard and tries to place the voice.

Squee says, "Warning lights and alarms and crap go off in the cockpit"

Squee says, "Or the bridge. The cockbridge."

[rpg] Zagor says, "I didn't know I'd signed up for one of *those* ships."

GM says (to Zagor), "hmm, I think this is probably Empathy or Alertness"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Man."

[rpg] GM says, "you started it with the kirk"

Zagor asks (of GM), "Or bureaucracy, if it's somebody I know?"

[rpg] Squee says, "The velour interiour probably should have tipped you off."

GM says, "yeah, totally"

Zagor rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 0 | Great (4)

GM says, "she's reaching over to flip off the switch, when she hears your alarms go off. "Oh!" she says. "Your ship is damaged!""

Tesher asks (of Captain), "Hey, if you have any trouble over there --" Tesher glances meaningfully in the direction the voice came from. "-- you just let me know, alright?"

Tesher says, "Damn."

GM says, ""Captain!" comes the voice again, and Zagor recognizes it -- it's Durok, but run through a personal vocoder"

Heron runs around pressing buttons and acting all busy with reparis.

GM says, "so apparently he's extremely incognito on this mission"

Tesher punches a few buttons. "It's the fuel line. We *probably* have enough to make it the rest of the way, but... would you might if we stayed in your wake? It'll help us save a few kiloliters."

Zagor thinks . o O { Kirk, I have you now! }

[rpg] Heron says, "Which is greek for repairs..."

GM says, ""I -- I can't help much more," she says. "I'll try not to let you show up on our screens.""

GM says, ""I hope you and your, er, pet come out ok!""

Reig looks hopefully at the viewscreen. "Mrow?"

GM says, "*click*"

[rpg] Zagor says, "A mole on the inside already, nice."

[rpg] Squee says, "Hey let's lock onto them with the tractor beam and get towed in"

[rpg] Squee says, "Ruin their fuel economy"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Heron says, "I suppose we could do that. Get so close we don't show up on the sensors anymore."

[rpg] Tesher says, "I think she's already going to be trying to hide us from their sensors, wo we probably don't want to make it any harder for her."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Unless Durok tries to look out of his cabin window."

[rpg] Heron says, "heh"

GM exclaims, "ok, on to Alto!"

Zagor says (to Tesher), "Captain, I congratulate you. Very cleverly done."

GM says, "where, surprisingly, Durok's ship seems to be heading after all"

GM says, "though he's touching down on the industrial side rather than the resort side, which is a bit of a surprise for a noble"

Tesher says (to Zagor), "Thanks. She seemed like a decent sort. Hope we don't get her in too much trouble."

Zagor says, "I refuse to believe that The Abacus is anywhere in this wasteland of massage parlours and daiquiri bars."

Zagor says, "Whatever it is. We need to find out their final destination."

Garue says (to Tesher), "Maybe we can convince her she's on the wrong team"

[rpg] Squee says, "CUT TO: Imperial Prison shower scene with captain"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

Tesher sets down at a repair yard nearby.

GM says, "customs is pretty easy since you're not smuggling anything, though Durok's ship has imperial credentials and gets to cut ahead"

Zagor says, "I'd like to get close to Durok. I wonder if anyone could help me with a disguise."

Heron says, "Alright, I'll give the ship a checkup."

Tesher asks (of Zagor), "Maybe. What do you have in mind?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Zagor) Tesher says, "I'll go round to the captain's ship and check her out. I mean, check her ship out."

Squee says, "Only if you're disguising yourself as a protocol droid."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

Zagor says (to Tesher), "I'm wonder if this investigation could be important enough to... shave off my beard! It rather gives me away."

Squee says, "However, I will talk to Biffzop, repair foreman, about renting his sweet landspeeder for the day."

[rpg] Squee exclaims (at Zagor), "Story aspect to the rescue!"

Zagor says, "Yes, perhaps that sacrifice is required."

[rpg] GM says, "Enough To Shave A Beard For"

Tesher says (to Zagor), "You could. But you might be better off trimming it to a goatee, maybe dyeing it and your hair red..."

[rpg] Heron says, "hahaha nice timing"

Zagor says, "Hmm, that could be rather dashing."

Garue says, "put a little grease in it, give it a camo look"

[rpg] Zagor says, "This is the most metrosexual spaceship I've been on for a while."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Heron says, "Is Garue a male?...or man if he's human"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Yeah."

[rpg] Garue says, "yeah, I'm a guy"

GM says, "ok, if you guys want to locate Durok, that would be a Good socializing roll"

[rpg] Squee says, "That's what you get for smuggling high-quality cosmetics for 10 years"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I shall have to publish a memorandum on it afterwards."

GM says, "if people want to do something else, that would be, uh, other rolls"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Hee."

[rpg] Garue says, "with grease-n-grime ground in"

[rpg] Heron says, "Alright. I propose I stay behind and pretend to be busy working on the ship for now. We can't very well all run off after making an emergency stop."

Zagor says, "Sure, I'm tracking him down."

[rpg] Tesher says, "I will have you know that Reig and I are purely *business* partners."

Zagor says, "Get close and try for a better mental reading."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Dang, only average socializing. I should get out more."

[rpg] Squee says, "In the business of Getting It On"

Zagor rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Zagor says, "Aw yeah."

[rpg] Heron asks (of Garue), "Yeah? Me too! Maybe we should get together and grind our greases and grimes later, eh?"

Reig asks (of Tesher), "You want to try to track down that nice lady captain together?"

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "it's a pretty big planet; nobody's going to check out your ship unless they are interested in your specifically"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Should I give a Disguise roll for Zagor's beard? (And a change of clothes.)"

[rpg] GM says, "which might be true, of course"

[rpg] Heron says, "Well, the way I see it she might actually check up on us, what with the Cap'n making such a dashing impression and all."

[rpg] Squee says, "Black leather vest, the usual smuggler standby"

[rpg] Squee says, "We should Disguise THE SHIP"

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "sure, go for it, roll deceit, base fair"

[rpg] Squee says, "As a huge pile of junk. It won't be much of a stretch.;"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Give it like an earring and low-slung jeans?"

Tesher rolls Superb (5) +2 + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 -1 | Good (3)

Squee says (to Biffzop), "So, yeah, I used to drive the Model 67 back on Superbadera."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Wow. I am glad I took that boon."

Zagor checks himself out in the mirror. "I barely recognise this fellow. But I must say, he does look Good."

GM asks (of Squee), "I forget, are you doing anything, or just chatting?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Might be a good time to spend a fate point"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Squee says (to GM), "I'm trying to rent/get loaned a landspeeder so we don't have to walk around like goddamn plebes."

Tesher says (to Reig), "Sure, I think she might be up for a friendly drink or some shop talk."

GM says, "ok, Zagor disguises himself as a dashing redhead and asks around to get the lay of the land"

Heron says, "I would like to check the ship for any damages. You never know with her age.."

GM says (to Squee), "sounds good, roll rapport, target good"

[rpg] Squee says, "Aiming for dashing redhead, ends up creepy ginger"

Squee rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 -1 | Average (1)

GM says, "er, sorry, that would be engineering again for you"

GM says, "assuming this is a droid"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I'm like a 55-year-old guy with bright red hair. Classy."

[rpg] Tesher says (to Squee), "There's nothing wrong with being the guy that everyone avoids looking at..."

Squee says, "Nah I'm not going to borrow some droid's car. They smell."

Squee says, "But I have Been Around The Sector."

GM says, "ok, fair enough -- so you can't get a landspeeder, but you can get an awesome jumpbuggy"

GM says, "which most people avoid due to not knowing how to work the controls"

Squee says, "Awww, reminds me of my first plasma converter overhaul."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Should we split the party (Tesher + Reig + miss captainpants vs. team jumpbuggy)?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Or should we stick together at this point?"

GM says (to Zagor), "anyway, word is Durok has been hanging out at the resort for a couple weeks now and hasn't left"

Squee says, "Despite being designed by the 5-armed squidipups of Andros III, they're pretty easy once you get the hang of triple-clutching."

[rpg] Reig asks, "Wait, a couple weeks? How long have we been here?"

GM says, "obviously that isn't true, but you haven't been able to pick up traces of him on the industrial side"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Or was he here beforehand, too?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Well, it's a cover story."

Gunther disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[rpg] Zagor says, "I expect he only landed on this side so it wasn't too obvious."

[rpg] GM says, "right, you (and he) just got here today"

Gunther has arrived.

[rpg] Reig says, "OK."

[rpg] Heron says, "He probably came here and now hasn't left his room in weeks."

GM asks, "so what's the plan? check out the resorts? check out the industrial side? do research?"

Zagor tries to find out where Durok was allegedly staying, or who he was socializing with.

[rpg] Squee says, "And so now we're going to end up at the spa. Sex in the City in Space 3: Alto Adventures."

Reig is most interesting in looking for the captain.

[rpg] Heron says, "Sexbot 2000"

Zagor says, "It's not that easy to cover your tracks. Somebody here must be in on it."

[rpg] Squee says, "In strictly engineering terms, those things go down easy."

[rpg] Tesher says, "I am up for joining Reig in looking for the Captain."

Zagor says, "Most likely the local governor, most likely on the luxurious side."

Squee says, "The captain does seem... amenable to our cause."

[rpg] Reig says (to Squee), "I am picturing you steepling your fingers when you say that."

GM says, "being the governor here is like being the US ambassador to the UK"

GM says, "where you get the position because you are some rich/powerful guy and spend most of your time going to parties while your aides do all the actual work"

Zagor asks, "You get drunk every night?"

Zagor says, "Oh, that."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther asks (of GM), "you're really a spy and sometimes found in S&M gear?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

Squee says, "Let's cruise on down to that spacebar where all the space captains hang out."

GM says, "ok, so it sounds like some people are going resort-side and some people are going to find the captain"

GM asks, "who is going for the captain?"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Everyone good metrosexual story has at least a passing reference to aides."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(or if you want to stick together, that's fine, but we're checking out the captain first)"

Zagor says, "Actually, come to think of it, I believe I've had dealings with the governor of Alto before. I helped him with a certain... tendency, a few years back."

[rpg] Tesher says (to Squee), "Sure. I think it's down at the south end of the keyboard, in the middle of Altsville."

[rpg] Tesher says, "I am looking for the Captain."

Heron says, "If those are the choices I'm going for the Cap'n but I'm booby trapping the ship so I will know if somebody checks her out."

[rpg] Tesher says, "And I am pretty sure Reig is as well."

[rpg] Squee exclaims, "Me too!"

Garue says, "I'll head for the captain. Mebbe find some rough characters masquerading as boozh"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I'll try to swing a few of us invitations to the governor's private resort."

[rpg] GM says, "ok, sounds good -- if you want to spend a fate point you can just get them and be on the VIP list"

[rpg] Zagor says, "If I can find some suitable leverage, and I think I can."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "I'm imagining the jumpbuggy is essentially a volkswagen beetle on four pogo sticks."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Sure."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Heron says, "yikes"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "CHICK MAGNET"

[Crows-Nest] Heron says, "says the botbanger"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Hey those allegations were largely withdrawn"

GM says, ""Ah! Doctor!" says the governor, stammering slightly. "So nice of you to drop in! Please, accept these invitations with my compliments, stay as long as you like." He wipes his sweaty forehead."

Zagor has a delightful audio-only call with the governor's majordomo, who really doesn't want anyone to find out about that incident on Mimosa.

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "whoops, sorry!"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Wait, after I go to all the trouble to disguise you, you go and make sure everyone knows exactly who you are?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Oh, I thought you were doing the captain first!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Timing."

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "I should have been!"

GM says, "right, anyway, captaining"

[rpg] Zagor says (to Tesher), "I'm Dr N'cognito! If the majordomo can be trusted."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Sounds like it's a short scene in any case."

GM says, "you folks head down to the space-bar where indeed you find the captain (whose name, we will reveal, is Raqi) drinking moodily in the corner"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Raqi, drinking raaki."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "I, Raqi"

Garue scans the bar crowd

[rpg] Zagor says, "Man, the crew never get proper shore leave in empires like this."

Tesher asks, "Hey. Is this seat taken?"

[rpg] Squee asks, "Is the cat still with us?"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Who's all here and who's with me?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Squee is there, talking up the serverbot."

GM says (to Garue), "the bars here are either spaceship crew bars or miner bars; this is a crew bar"

GM says, "Raqi's face lights up when she sees you. "Hey, you made it!" she says. "I was worried!""

Garue asks (of GM), "crowd seems normal?"

[Crows-Nest] Heron says (to Zagor), "I'm with you."

Reig jumps into Raqi's lap, turns around two times, and curls up, purring.

GM exclaims (at Reig), "and you did too! cootchie cootchie coo!"

GM says (to Garue), "a little on-edge, maybe"

Tesher grins. "It'll take more than a fuel line breach to stop Tesher Bendros. Thanks for not getting us in trouble with Mysterious Evil Voice Guy."

GM says, "She rolls her eyes. "I wouldn't take these stupid anonymous diplomat missions, but they pay at least twice the going rate, and work isn't so easy to find these days.""

Reig lets Raqi scratch his chin.

[Crows-Nest] Heron says, "aww"

Tesher says, "Ah, yeah. We've all gotta do a few dirty jobs once in a while."

[rpg] GM asks, "so, you guys (or Garue or Squee) interested in finding out anything in speciific?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I wonder if they're shipping out again soon."

Tesher says, "I once had to haul a load of Duanti Cabbages halfway across the galaxy, and two days out, I lost the pressure seal between cargo and control decks. I couldn't smell anything else for weeks after that."

[rpg] Squee says, "Hmmm."

[rpg] Squee asks, "I'm up for a fight scene. Anyone want to get into a fight?"

[rpg] Garue says, "Yeah, I want to see if anything unusual has been going on lately. I'll join a rougher looking table and buy some new friends a couple of drinks."

GM says, ""Ha ha, that reminds me of the time I got a rush job to deliver one tribble -- I didn't realize how important it was to keep them in cryogenic suspension, and ...""

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Ha"

Tesher exclaims, "Ha!"

Garue lumbers up to a table

Garue asks, "Got room for another?"

[rpg] Garue says, ". . Squee I'm always up for a fight."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Is that this table or just a table?"

GM says, ""If you're buyin'," one of the guys there grunts."

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Different table."

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "ilac"

Garue says, "I got this one, yeah (gestures to serverbot for a round)"

Squee says, "Being compelled by I Rebuilt Your Mother, one of the fridge-sized bouncerbots makes a beeline for Squee."

[rpg] Garue says (to Squee), "I'm always up for a fight."

[rpg] GM says, "let's see .. oh, I know"

Squee says, "[binary]HUMAN UNIT SQUEE STOP TYPICAL INCOMPETENCE RENDERED MOTHERUNIT 129ZY INOPERABLE STOP[/binary]"

Tesher says, "The world is a crazy place. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, you run into a planet full of green monkey people or get caught in a war being fought with videogames or trip over a mission so secret that even the diplomats are hiding their names."

Tesher asks, "Say, does this secret mission of yours mean that a war's about to break out someplace?"

GM says, "Garue buddies up with the guys there and starts to get a feel for shipping in the sector"

Squee asks, "Woah woah, hey buddy, I'm sorry to hear about that, but sometimes the old hardware just can't take any more, know what I mean?"

Reig in general makes encouraging noises whenever Raqi is talking about her most recent mission.

[rpg] Garue says, "liberal application of liquor and Voice of Authority helps"

GM says, "Raqi laughs. "Nah, I doubt it -- probably just some internal politics thing. They wanted to hire me for a follow-up mission out spinwards, but I turned 'em down, was too worried about this last trip. But things turned out ok for you, so maybe I should ...""

GM says (to Garue), "hmm, you could roll intimidation, target good"

Squee says, "[binary]SEARCHING... IMPERIAL CERTIFACTION REVOKED STOP[/binary] [prerecorded female voice] Please standby for imperial escort to detention centre"

Tesher shrugs. "Some places are safer than others -- whereabouts did they want to send you?"

[rpg] Reig says, "(Garou's afk a sec; will roll when back)"

Squee says, "Uhhh hey guys; might be a good idea to finish up those drinks."

[rpg] Reig asks (of Squee), "What are you doing?"

[rpg] Reig says, "(I'm not following)"

Tesher says, "If you're worried that you'll run across another ambush, and you'd like some backup..."

[rpg] Squee says, "Getting into a fight with the bouncerbot unit."

[rpg] Heron asks (of Zagor), "Are we doing anything in particular to find out who's working with Durkon?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Imperial stormtroopers should be here any minute"

GM says, "She doesn't say anything, she's just looking over your shoulder at some guy who just came in. "That's funny," she says"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Why?"

Tesher says, "As long as you can keep our blips off of your sensors, we could probably arrange to follow you discretely."

[rpg] Squee says, "Seemed like a good time for a fight, is all"

Tesher doesn't look over his shoulder. "What's that?"

[rpg] Reig says, "Oh, so not trying to accomplish anything in particular, then."

[rpg] Zagor says (to Heron), "I figure he's been visiting governors for some reason. I'd like to know why, either from the governors or from Durok himself."

Garue rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

GM says, "crap, it's a targeting dot on her chest, is what"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Get an idea of his ultimate goal, and maybe we can get ahead of him."

[rpg] Squee says, "Not really. Looks like the fight is coming to us, though."

Tesher spins around and throws his glass in the direction the dot would be coming from.

Reig leaps up and knocks Raqi over!

[rpg] Tesher says, "Not trying to hurt anyone; I just want to knock the gun away."

[rpg] Zagor says, "And maybe these guys can get Durok to hire our ship. The captain might recognise it but he wouldn't."

GM says, "meanwhile, Garue has managed to determine, without any of the individual captains being aware of it, that there are some unusually high supplies of shipping materials -- mostly metals and some crystals, plus some bulk electronics -- going out from Alto"

GM says, "and meanwhile meanwhile, Tesher and Reig are about to roll some dice"

[rpg] Garue says, "nice"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "What do you do to get a Story Aspect?"

GM says, "seems like Reig wants to do a block action to protect Raqi, which I guess would be athletics, base target fair, and Tesher is rolling athletics or primitive weapons"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I am thinking that I should probably take one like 'Friendly With Captain Raqi'."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Yo momma so far, she was rebuilt with bulk electronics"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Fat, too"

[rpg] GM says, "sure, you can just say you have it"

[rpg] Garue says, "oooh, a bar brawl"

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 +1 | Superb (5)

Tesher rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 -1 | Terrible (-2)

GM says (to Squee), "and meanwhile meanwhile meanwhile, your situation has escalated to the point where you might want to do something about it, since the bouncerbot is probably going to deploy a stun baton at you"

[rpg] Garue says, "I'd like to do another crowd read to get a feel for the fight before diving in"

Squee exclaims (at Bouncerbot), "Hey look over there, that guy is shooting at the patrons!"

Garue rolls Good (3) +2 + 4dF: 0 -1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[rpg] GM says, "ok, roll empathy, difficulty good"

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 -1 | Good (3)

Garue makes leaps at the bouncerbot

[rpg] Squee says, "This combat is disturbingly realistically chaotic"

[rpg] Reig says, "(it's not the bouncerbot that's shooting Raqi)"

[rpg] Garue says, "crap, should have aimed for the guy shooting the patrons"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "That is my second -1 -1 -1 -1 so far."

GM says, "Garue takes a look around the room, and realizes that, though a dude in black armor and otherwise seeming like a bounty hunter just walked in the door (that was who Raqi was looking at), there are actually three other plain-clothes bounty hunter (or perhaps assassin) types, one of whom just had a glass thrown at him"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "Hopefully this means there's a +1 +1 +1 +1 waiting for me later."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "good thing you have that aspect for a reroll, hunh"

[rpg] Zagor says, "As an aside, it'd be nice to somehow log what skills are being rolled. Guess that would be trick to code though."

[rpg] Zagor says, "+y"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher exclaims (at GM), "Good idea!"

GM asks (of Squee), "hmm, what skill would you say that is?"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "I forgot I could reroll instead of just +2."

Squee says, "I was thinking my Engineering social-droid-skill"

Tesher rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 +1 | Fair (2)

GM says, "so situation: dude in black armor at the door, three other guys in the room, probably all working together; the bouncerbot; Raqi being tackled; one guy having a glass thrown at; Squee trying to talk the bouncerbot around"

GM asks (of Squee), "I guess I should say, to do what?"

Squee says, "To get him to ignore me for the moment and target those assassin guys"

GM says, "ok, fair enough"

GM says, "let's see"

GM says, "Tesher tosses his glass in the path of the beam just in time -- the energy bolt shatters it, sending fragments of glass everywhere, but Raqi would undoubtedly prefer the cuts and soaking from the glass to getting fried"

GM says, "then Reig lands on top of her, knocking her to the floor, which is good, because two other bolts vaporize the top of the booth where her head was"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Wow, you've got to be careful when you turn down a secret mission for the Empire."

GM says, "meanwhile, the bouncerbot stares at Squee a moment, says "...COMPUTING ....PUNISHMENT DEFERRED ... PLEASE REPORT SELF TO LOCAL CONTAINMENT UNIT UNTIL PROPER ESCORT IS AVAILABLE ...""

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Good thing Raqi has that aspect, Spends A Lot of Time on her Back"

GM says, "and heads for the nearest of the three plainclothes guys"

GM exclaims, "next round!"

GM asks (of Garou,Squee,Tesher,Reig), "whatcha gonna do?"

[rpg] Heron says (to Zagor), "Damn we missed the action."

GM says, "er, Garue"

GM says, "I can't seem to get that right"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "I guess these are the sorts of weapons that vaporize tables, right?"

GM says, "actually, yeah, while you guys are deciding,"

GM says, "MEANWHILE ON THE LUSH PRIVATE ISLAND"

Garue swings his taser-mace at one of the plain-clothes assasins

Garue rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Squee says, "Usually you can also spend a Fate point to show up in a scene, with justification"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, they're mysteriously more effective on scenery"

Zagor arrives in his new Startlingly Fashionable aspect.

GM says, "Zagor and Heron are reclining on hovercouches sipping drinks"

Zagor. o O { Why, I don't look a day over 52! }

GM says, "a cabana boy is holding your fishing rods for you when holding them yourselves becomes too fatiguing"

[rpg] Tesher says, "On the other hand, a table would probably absorb at least one round of shots before vanishing."

[rpg] Squee says, "But yeah, GM approval and such. He's probably got plans."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

[rpg] GM says, "nah, it might have been more sensible to have everyone in one place, but I didn't think of it"

Squee loads his cybernetic hand blaster and shoots at our enemies.

GM asks (of Zagor,Heron), "so, what are you doing? going to track down Durok?"

[rpg] Squee says, "At least we ALL didn't split up. Tempting though it was."

Zagor says, "I say, the governor himself!"

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "anyway, yeah, you could probably hide behind a piece of scenery for a round, but not much longer"

Tesher says (to Raqi), "We have to get out of here! Head for the back door. I'll cover you, then I'll follow after."

Heron says, "I'm mostly accompanying Zagor and hope to find out more about the abacus."

Zagor, despite being entirely unfamiliar to Governor McFarquason, seems to know all about him and his wives and pets and medical problems.

Tesher knocks over the table to shield the three of them, then lays down some semi-random blaster fire to distract the bounty hunters and throw off their shots.

Garue's taser-mace makes a satisfying *thunk* impacting plain-clothes#2

[rpg] Tesher says, "The goal here isn't to actually shoot anyone at this point, but just to make it extra-hard for them to shoot Raqi while she's escaping."

[rpg] Zagor says, "This isn't so much a segue as some kind of innovative cross-edit."

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, it's kind of nuts"

[rpg] GM says, "but what the hell"

[rpg] GM says, "cut from the guy mixing drinks to Garue's mace colliding with someone's head"

[rpg] Squee says, "It's a nice change from the 'ifmud game sooo slowwww' mode"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Like that one bit in The Two Towers, eh?"

[rpg] Tesher says (to GM), "YM 'the guy crushing ice'."

Squee pulls the trigger.

[rpg] GM says (to Squee,Tesher), "I guess you might as well roll"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM says, "totally"

Squee rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 +1 | Great (4)

GM asks (of Heron), "are you asking around? or accessing the computers? or asking someone in specific?"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Blasters, I guess?"

GM asks (of Zagor), "and what are you doing?"

Tesher rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "yeah"

Reig leaps out from behind the table at the unattacked-so-far plainclothes dude.

Zagor pats McFarquason heartily on the back just as Garue pats some guy through a wall.

[rpg] GM says, "(seems like a block action)"

[rpg] Squee says, "Yeah that's how I'm reading it"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Yeah."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Reig says (to Zagor), "Yay"

[Crows-Nest] Garue exclaims, "that is awesome!"

GM says, "Garue's assassin staggers backwards as the shock hits him"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Also not a bad time for people to get some self-compels in if you feel like it."

GM says, "then he pulls out a thin dagger thing from his wrist-sheath, which starts to spin like a dentist's drill -- then we cut to the cabana boy reeling in a fish"

Heron says (to GM), "I'm either asking if I see somebody with appropriately high rank running around or use engineering if I get bored before meeting anybody."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Fanmail to GM"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Ha, Heron ends up with the best fishing rod in the sector"

GM says (to Heron), "you see a high-ranking military guy, in theory somebody who might be good to ask"

Zagor says (to governor), "You know, I heard a rumour that Durok might be turning up here. Queer thing to see him outside his private moon!"

Zagor says, "Especially as I saw him on, er, that planet we were on originally just a few days ago."

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Zagor), "ok, if you're pumping the governor, roll rapport (or if you want to read it from his mind, roll empathy)"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor asks, "I'm guessing this guy's been covering for Durok and his trips are supposed t be secret -- can I try Deceit?"

GM says, "Raqi starts to crawl towards the door as Tesher lays down some covering fire -- she's gotten about halfway there, and will make it out next time if she doesn't get shot first"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "You spend as much time 'pumping the governor' as the next fabulously stylish metrosexual, but this isn't really the time."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Ha, yes."

[rpg] Reig says, "(rolling my attack)"

Reig rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Good (3)

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hmm, I think deceit is only for you lying to someone, not detecting lies -- you could use investigation, perhaps"

Heron asks, "Good so I'm asking. Is this bureaucracy or rapport?"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Investigation then."

Zagor rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 0 | Good (3)

GM says (to Heron), "bureaucracy if you want to make a formal approach, rapport if you want an informal one"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "but like I said, you can also use empathy to telepathy it out"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Very technically, Deceit is coming into play by limiting your Rapport, since a bad disguise would hinder you. Good thing your is excellent."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Sure, I'll read him at the same time."

Zagor rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)

GM says (to Zagor), ""Was that a shot in the dark?" he asks. (Cut to a sizzle as Squee's blaster bolt fires into the assassin's leg)"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Sweet zombie jesus"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "But also hoping to put him on the spot and make him sweat."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "We are in a sauna after all."

[rpg] Zagor says (to GM), "Hee hee hee."

GM says, ""I assure you! Durok has been here the whole time! Hasn't left for a moment, especially not on a secret mission of some sort!""

Heron asks, "I think informal would be more appropriate, is he sufficiently impressed by my physique so I can roll athletics for rapport?"

GM says (to Heron), "ha ha, sure, what the hell"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Abs of Entrancement"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Now clearly that was a lie, so hopefully he will unconsciously think about the truth and I can teep it out."

Heron rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Superb (5)

Squee says, "(I still have a Great blaster shot going off at the assassins)"

GM says, "Reig lands on the assassin's head as someone on the resort puts a hat on"

GM says (to Squee), "you totally hit him in the leg"

Squee says, "Whee"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Okay, #interludes is so last year."

GM says, "meanwhile the bouncerbot grabs the third assassin and stuns him"

GM says, "the guy in black armor is apparently still scanning the room"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Dang, you know that ninja guy is going to do something cool"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "Maybe he's looking for Sarah Connor."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "The aspect that keeps on giving"

GM says (to Zagor), "what he's thinking is "Dammit, why aren't I high-enough clearance to find out what he was off doing? He didn't even tell me where he was going! Was this actual imperial business or just more house squabbling? I should take it up with Grossbladder at the next polo match, he'll be able to tell me ...""

GM says, "oh yeah, I guess the assassins should do something"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 0 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Heron says, "#band-name grossbladder..nice"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 0 | Great (4)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 -1 | Great (4)

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Grossbladder! ha."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "he's german, it means "huge bladder""

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "When they said this planet catered to everyone, they weren't kidding"

GM says (to Garue), "you should roll exotic to block against fair"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Well, it's a lead, but not a savoury one by the sounds of it."

Garue rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 0 | Fantastic (6)

GM says (to Reig,Squee), "you should roll weapons or athletics to block against great"

[rpg] Squee says, "He's our Number One suspect"

Squee rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 0 | Fair (2)

Reig rolls ??? (athletics) + 4dF: +1 0 0 -1 | Mediocre (0)

Reig says, "Whoops, that should have been superb."

Zagor says (to Governor), "Quite so! A secret mission, what a droll thought."

GM says (to Squee), "so I guess that is a two-point hit and a minor consequence"

Reig says, "(for a final 'superb')"

[rpg] Tesher says (to Zagor), "If you really want to freak him out, you should say 'Maybe I'll just ask Grossbladder, then. Do you know where he is? Out playing polo somewhere, no doubt.'"

Reig arches his back in a decidedly non-catlike manner and avoids the assassin's attack!

GM says, "the governor chuckles weakly and a servant rushes over to mop his brow"

[rpg] GM says, "I am imagining Reig stretching his back impossibly high to dodge"

Reig says, "(just as zagor stretches)"

GM says, "meanwhile, Heron is making time with the general"

Squee says (to GM), "Right. I am Minorly inconvenienced; our blaster shots collide midair and the feedback loop drains my blaster battery completely! Good thing there's a charger in the jumpybug."

[rpg] Zagor says (to Tesher), "Heh."

GM exclaims (at Squee), "excellent!"

GM says, ""Ah, one of our bold lads in uniform, eh?" the general says to Heron. "Or out of uniform, as the case may be -- shore leave is a wonderful thing.""

[rpg] Zagor says, "Pleasant as it would be to skewer this poor guy, I think I need to move on to a better class of informant."

GM says, ""Now what was it you said you had information on? The Abacus? My boy, don't you know that project was shut down? If I were you, I'd keep your nose clean and stay out of it -- just enjoy the party here""

[rpg] Tesher says, "(AFK a moment)"

GM says, ""And I'm only telling you this because I admire your abs""

[Crows-Nest] Reig says, "Ha ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Haha, man, pleasure planets."

Zagor raises his glass in cheerful salute just as people start breaking glasses for use as weapons over at the bar.

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "This could be a new entry on the Evil Overlord list."

[Crows-Nest] Heron says, "heh"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "It's the Abs-acus"

[Crows-Nest] Garue says, "ouch"

GM says, "meanwhile, in the bar, the guy in black armor finally does something -- he lifts his gun and fires a blue ion blast -- shorting out the lights and plunging the bar into darkness"

Zagor moves on to find Grossbladder, but by all means keep fighting.

[rpg] Tesher exclaims, "Hey, that's what I was about to do!"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "Fighting and/or... whatever that abs thing is leading to."

[rpg] Tesher says (to GuyInBlack), "Thanks! I think."

[rpg] GM exclaims, "maybe that means he's your rival!"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "He wasn't the one originally aiming at Raqi, right?"

[rpg] GM says, "right"

[rpg] GM says, "though she did look at him when he came in, and the shooting did seem to start then"

[Crows-Nest] Heron says, "I think I'm not done with the general. Can I pry more out of him? Where the damn project was run for example."

[rpg] GM says, "but it may just be an unfortunate coincidence"

GM says, "so let's see"

[rpg] Tesher says (to GM), "Those things do tend to crop up a fair bit in RPG's."

[rpg] Squee says, "Our hero, Darth Fett"

GM says, "I think everyone should say what they're doing, since it is more or less a new round and the bar has just been plunged into darkness"

[Crows-Nest] Reig asks, "Should we go by initiative/alertness?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I think everything's separate enough initiative doesn't really matter, so just say what you want to do"

Squee keeps his head down and heads for the rear exit.

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "you can try to get more information out but you'll need a new approach, since he has said about all he's willing to say for just flexing"

GM asks (of Squee), "so hopping off the guy's head?"

[rpg] Reig asks, "What's the scoop with the guys we're fighting? Do they have any consequenses yet?"

[rpg] Squee says, "Grossbladder, you look so... tense..."

[rpg] Reig asks, "Or are any just Out?"

[rpg] Zagor asks (of Heron), "Keep him busy as I 'teep him?"

Garue swings for plainclothes#3 (or whichever hasn't been patted through a wall yet)

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, they each have a consequence and can take one more before being out"

Garue rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Legendary (8)

Tesher keeps throwing out covering fire (in case anyone has darkvision) while backing out the exit, behind Raqi.

[rpg] Heron says (to Zagor), "Sounds promising."

Tesher rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] Zagor says (to Heron), "You just need to make him think about it, not say it."

GM says, "Somebody at the party swings their tennis racket in the same arc as Garue's much-larger mace has, with more or less the same consequences"

Squee goes home.

Squee has disconnected.

[rpg] Heron asks, "So I try to go all bureaucratic on him to get him thinking and you see what's coming up?"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says (to Garue), "Ooh, nice topspin."

Squee has arrived.

Squee says (to GM), "I'm not the cat."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Sure."

[rpg] GM says, "whoops! sorry, not sure how I thought that"

Reig having landed on Bad Guy's head, melts his skin around his head to suffocate him.

[rpg] GM says, "ok, right, Squee and Tesher head for the exit"

Garue's mace nearly cleaves plainclothes#3 in twain. When he lands, he doesn't even twitch.

[rpg] Squee says (to Reig), "Ewwww nice work"

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 -1 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says, "dang dude"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Eww"

GM says, "the guy goes limp and collapses"

GM says, "probably not actually dead, but"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yeah, the idea was just to knock him out if possible."

GM says (to Heron,Zagor), "ok, roll bureaucracy and then empathy"

Zagor says, "But speaking as a professional, I can say this guy is going to have trouble sleeping for the next for months."

Zagor rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Great (4)

[rpg] Zagor says, "(empathy)"

Heron rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Heron says, "(boobocrazy)"

GM says, "let's see"

GM says, "between the two of you, you elicit the following information about The Abacus"

[rpg] Zagor says (to Heron), "I think you can go ahead and narrate something if you want."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Er, not specifically about the Abacus, I mean, just for the action."

GM says, "1) it's some kind of structure of unknown type, pretty far out on the edge of the empire, into the neutral zone between empires"

GM says, "2) they didn't know what it was for a while, but they didn't know who built it either, so it was classified in case it was a weapon"

GM says, "3) some military scientist, Professor Trevorno, came along and claimed to know what it was and that it was a weapon"

GM says, "4) Professor Trevorno got a lot of money for a research project about it, didn't produce any results, and resigned under pressure"

Zagor says (to general), "Ha ha, inspecting one of our fine military weapons, I see."

[rpg] Heron says (to Zagor), "I think we kicked ass."

GM says, "5) there is probably more information about it but this guy doesn't know any"

Zagor asks (of general), "Magnificent structure, wouldn't you agree?"

GM says, "the general blushes and whips his eyes back to Heron's face"

Heron just smiles enchantingly.

Zagor says, "However, I think I'll take my leave. I've got what I came here for."

Heron asks (of General), "We really need to find the abacus do you know anybody who has a precise location?"

GM says, ""I'm sorry, I can't help you any more, I said", he says, but he's thinking "Professor Trevorno would be the best lead, I suppose -- I wonder whatever happened after the resignation?""

GM says, "meanwhile, folks tumble out the back of the bar"

Squee says, "Ah, right where I parked her."

[rpg] Heron asks (of Zagor), "Should we head back to Betsy or was there something else you wanted to do?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I'd like to try a Bureaucracy roll to see if I've heard of Trevorno."

[rpg] Zagor says, "I feel like we're done here."

[rpg] Zagor says, "No sign of Durok, but we have a slightly better idea what he's up to."

GM says, "only no Raqi -- just her wallet and some speeder takeoff tracks"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Are there signs of a struggle?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "(That is, does it look like she escaped on a speeder, or was abducted?)"

Tesher picks up the wallet before someone even less savory does.

[rpg] GM says, "well, it'd be pretty careless of her to leave her wallet behind if she was leaving on a speeder"

[rpg] Zagor says, "As the bar staff slowly climb out of hiding to clean up the broken glass and broken furniture, a coterie of servants sweeps through and refills everyone's drinks at the spa."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "If she gets pulled over for speeding, she won't have her license with her!"

Tesher searches it for ID or other relevant information.

Garue looks around for any likely witnesses.

Squee says, "Let us give chase in our trusty jumpitybuggy."

GM says, "no witnesses, this is one of those seedy back alleys"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Anything surprising in it?"

Garue says (to Squee), "You drive! (Garue hops in)"

[rpg] Zagor says, "If we can bend time a little and join up again soon that'd be good."

[rpg] GM says, "there's probably something useful, but I am going to cut back to everyone reuniting at the ship"

[rpg] GM says, "(where you can search it then)"

[rpg] Reig asks, "Did we see what happened to the black-armor dude?"

[rpg] Tesher exclaims, "But what about the speeder tracks!"

[rpg] Tesher says, "We don't want the trail to go cold."

[rpg] GM says, "sorry, she is totally vanished mysteriously"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Dang."

[rpg] Garue says, "And maybe we can find some intimidatable witnesses in a couple of blocks."

[rpg] Garue says, "oh"

Squee asks, "So I know this vehicle is bouncing fiercely, but can you see any tracks? No?"

GM says, "back on the ship, dammit"

GM says, "wherein you are deciding your next move"

Zagor arrives in a hover-pergola, still wearing a garland of exotic flowers.

Squee has his finger in a power socket.

Tesher says (to Zagor, Heron), "It looks like someone doesn't want the Captain of the Cobra to talk about what she's been doing."

Zagor asks, "Well, did you find out anything useful from the captain? Why are you all glum and covered in broken glass?"

Reig says, "I say we check out the Cobra herself."

Garue says, "Unsavory bastards."

Reig says, "They may be forcing her to take them on their next mission."

GM says (to Squee), "hee hee"

Tesher says, "First she was shot at by bounty hunters, and now she's been kidnapped."

Zagor says, "We didn't find Durok, but... [infodump about The Abacus]"

Zagor asks, "Anyone heard of this Trevorno?"

Tesher rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 0 | Average (1)

[rpg] Tesher says, "(Bureaucracy roll for Trevorno.)"

[rpg] GM says, "hmm"

Zagor rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] GM says, "I think for Trevorno you can roll either Bureaucracy or Science"

Garue says, "There's also been an usually high level of shipping materials leaving Alto. Metals, crystals, electronics . . . the usual."

Garue says, "Except more."

[rpg] Zagor says, "(bureaucracy)"

Squee has disconnected.

Squee has connected.

[rpg] Reig says, "Hey, I have some Science."

Reig rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 -1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Heron says, "same as Zagor"

Heron rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Heron says, "bleh"

Zagor, on a sudden hunch, goes to the computer and pulls out some old science news.

GM says, "hmm"

Garue says, "Couldn't confirm where it's all headed, but it don't take no genius to put it together. They building somthin' at or around Abucus."

Heron asks, "We've gut a bunch of information. Don't we know anybody who knows how to work a computer to multiply it?"

Zagor asks, "Not a weapons specialist, if I remember right, but a... military architect?"

GM says, "ok, between you (and especially Zagor) you get a minor dossier on her -- middle-aged, scientist, interested in xenocultural artifacts (specifically, pre-imperial civilizations) and droids"

Squee says, "Something that big should be hard to hide."

GM says, "got taken up by the military, apparently got to a clearance high enough to get info about the abacus, started researching it more, got more clearance and money, actually went out there with some other scientists to do work, didn't get any results, came back and resigned in disgrace"

Zagor says, "Ah, yes, this Trevorno. Briefly popular in court circles for her Great Redoubt on Balkanus V, made on some ancient alien pattern."

GM says, "alleged her results had been sabotaged, but there was no real follow-up on that, since she disappeared shortly afterwards"

Garue says, "I bet what she did worked"

Garue says, "And scared some fat cat shitless"

Tesher asks, "So now we have a Captain who knows something and disappeared in mysterious circumstances and a scientist who knows something and disappeared in mysterious circumstances?"

Heron says, "Damn."

Heron says, "Right, the missing Cap'n we should get to her ship asap."

Zagor says, "And the main mysterious circumstance is The Abacus."

Reig exclaims, "Let's go!"

Heron says, "Whoever took her might very well have plans for her ride."

Tesher goes through Raqi's wallet to see if there are any clues in it.

Squee says, "Let's check to see if the Cobra is still dirtside first."

Garue says, "So if we want to disappear under mysterious circumstance, we should go investigate."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

Squee checks in with his chums at traffic control.

[rpg] Zagor says (to Squee), "Good thought"

Reig exclaims (at Garue), "Perfect!"

GM says, "yeah, her ship is still parked there"

GM says, "and actually, it appears it's not her ship -- it's owned by (presumably) the alias Durok is using"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Kirrrrrrrrrrk"

Heron says, "Damn, again."

Reig says (to Tesher), "I bet you can use her access card to get on board."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "So nothing in the wallet?"

[rpg] Squee exclaims, "Sounds like a job for... Disguise!"

[rpg] Heron asks, "Can we roll engineering on where a good place to dump a body would be around here?"

GM says (to Tesher), "hmm"

Tesher says (to Reig), "Good idea. You know, I think that the Captain might have called for a maintenance crew to come in and give the ship a quick check, to make sure it didn't take any damage in that asteroid belt."

GM says (to Tesher), "I think she's got the usual id and currency and picture of parents and some kind of pufferdog"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Aw."

[rpg] Garue says, "cute"

[rpg] Squee says, "And no kids or husband, woo woo"

GM says, "and then another card with, you think, snaps from the security system on her ship"

Zagor changes out of his NeoHawaiian shirt, into generic spaceman greys.

[rpg] (from Tesher) Reig says, "Sexy."

Reig meanwhile changes shape to a more elongated, orange and white cat.

GM says, "a shot of Durok from the back, another from the side, a couple guards"

[rpg] Reig says, "(just so I won't be recognized.)"

Tesher says (to Reig), "I'm not sure how they feel about pets on the Cobra, if Raqi had to leave her dog behind. It might be better if I just went in with my leather toolbag."

GM says, "and then one of his room, the door half-open, with some kind of thing that looks like a mobile (like, the hanging art piece) with crystals"

[rpg] Tesher says, "IYKWIM."

GM says, "you can't make it out very well given that it's behind the door and stuff"

GM says, "but it's presumably important since it looks weird"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Heh."

Heron says, "Well, if you really want to get in I'm sure me and Squee here could help you out with the engineering part."

[rpg] Heron asks (of GM), "Can we roll engineering on where a good place to dump a body would be around here? Or do we have some idea why they might not just get rid of her?"

Tesher changes to his shirt with the patch on it that says 'Sal' and puts on a fake moustache and blue cap.

[rpg] GM says, "hmm"

[rpg] Squee says, "There's a giant planet-sized stripmine. Everywhere is good."

Tesher says (to Heron), "Good idea."

[rpg] GM says, "I think, yeah, there isn't really a roll to see where a good place to dump a body would be"

Tesher rolls Superb (5) +2 + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 0 | Epic (7)

[rpg] Tesher says, "(That is to disguise myself and anyone coming with me.)"

[rpg] GM says, "but it seems reasonable to think that if it was the same people who sent the assassins as who grabbed her, then they would have just shot her and left her"

[rpg] GM says, "since that is what the assassins were presumably going to do"

[rpg] Heron says, "Good point."

[rpg] (from Zagor) Zagor says (to Tesher), "A moustache? A red moustache? Well, if you think so..."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Hee."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

GM says, "ok, some people are going to the ship"

GM says, "there are two guys in House Reeft uniforms hanging out by it"

Tesher says, "Howdy."

Tesher goes up to the door to swipe the borrowed card.

Reig twines around one of the guard's legs.

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Candygram"

GM says, ""hey," says the guard, "whatcha doing? this ship's off-limits""

Tesher says, "Maintenance -- the Captain sent for us."

Heron pats his toolbox.

Squee nods.

[rpg] Zagor says, "I'd like to try reading the guard's exact orders."

[rpg] Squee says, "This plan is FOOLPROOF"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

[rpg] Reig asks, "In the meantime, does the door open?"

Tesher says, "Said you had a brush with some pirates or something? Or asteroids? I dunno, she just wanted us to give it a once-over."

[rpg] GM says, "they're not actually letting him up to the door yet -- when he came over, they stepped in front of it"

Zagor doesn't have a toolbox, so just pats his moustache.

GM says (to Zagor), "sure, roll empathy"

Zagor rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 -1 | Great (4)

[rpg] Heron says, "Is there any damage obvious from where we are? So we could start working on it for plausibility."

[rpg] Garue says, "I could create some damage to repair, but that might blow our cover."

Reig twines more, trying to get petted (and to make them happier to see us)

Reig rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 0 0 -1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Zagor says, "Heh."

GM says (to Zagor), "these are low-level House Reeft guard dudes, whose superior told them "don't let anyone in until I get back" but probably would take orders from anyone else in House Reeft"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "I forget, is Durok from Reeft?"

[rpg] GM says, "no, that's the one he's not from"

[rpg] GM says, "but it's the one all the ships and stuff have been from"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "What was the one he was from?"

[rpg] GM says, "Gwyne"

[rpg] GM says, "(which doesn't get along with Reeft)"

[rpg] GM says, "hmm"

Zagor tries to think of some important Reeft person. Uh, Franz Dogburger is from Reeft, isn't it?

[rpg] Squee says, "Cmon, smiley guys, break out some Intimidation."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM says, "he totally sounds related to Grossbladder"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Are the guards being stoicly silent right now?"

Zagor whispers (to Tesher), "What are these guards doing? Dogburger'll have our guts if we don't get this ship checked out!"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Or are they just in 'RPG strategizing bullet time'?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I'm thinking"

[rpg] GM says, "I think the deal is, they're not buying the story that the captain wanted you to check it over, or else they just don't think the captain had that authority"

[rpg] GM says, "(since, you recall, it's not her ship)"

[rpg] GM says, "so I think even with Reig's persuasion you will need a different story or more backing or something"

[rpg] Squee exclaims, "Surprise secret Reeft quality control inspection!"

Zagor whispers (to Tesher), "Maybe we should tell them what we're really doing? I'm sure they won't tell the captain."

Tesher says (to Zagor), "Nah, it ain't our problem. We'll just file a report, and we'll have a paper trail showing whose fault it was we couldn't do our checks."

[rpg] Garue says, "or we could just beat 'em till they got out of our way"

Zagor says (to Tesher), "Oh, that's a good idea!"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, that seems promising"

Zagor says (to guards), "Excuse me, I just need to note down your insignia..."

GM says, "The guards look a little nervous. "Whoah, hey, we're just trying to do our jobs here ..""

Zagor says, "Oh, it's no problem."

Tesher asks, "Yeah, we're just doing the same, y'know?"

Zagor says, "Now, if you'd like to sign here, and here..."

Squee nods, but more menacingly this time.

GM says (to Zagor), "I guess you've got intimidation, so you could roll that"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Bureaucratic intimidation!"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Shame I didn't take a boon for that."

Zagor rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says, "works for me"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I kinda do, if you need an assist."

Zagor has quickly written a short note reading 'we knowingly impeded a party of Reeft-assigned engineers in their duty. We take full responsibility for the consequences.'

GM says, ""Uh, right," says the guard. "Maybe it'd be better if we just played it by the book.""

GM says, "He holds the paper by the corner and regards it gingerly as he steps aside and lets Tesher & co in."

Zagor says, "I could explictly enumerate the consequences if you prefer."

[rpg] GM says, "hmm"

Reig slips in and runs ahead, looking for the count's room.

Tesher says (to Zagor), "We'll need to triplicate that when we get back, so we can attach one copy to the 247-B, submit another to the planetary travel commission, and give one to these fellows' superiors."

Tesher says, "Thanks."

Tesher says, "This'll save a lot of paperwork."

[rpg] GM says, "I think the deal with the lock is, the captain doesn't have operational rights any more, but the exterior of the ship is unlocked so you can get in"

Tesher heads inside.

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "I'm having fond memories of that hotel manager we badgered into oblivion now"

[Crows-Nest] Tesher says, "Hee."

[rpg] GM says, "but interior locks may still be on in some areas"

[rpg] GM says, "...like the count's door"

[rpg] Zagor asks, "This is possibly outside the scope of my powers, but can I get a feel for whether the ship is occupied?"

[rpg] Heron asks, "I'm sure if we get close enough we could use engineering to pop em, right?"

Squee asks, "Now that we're finally aboard, let's lock the exterior doors, shall we?"

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "hmm, if you're just feeling for random thoughts? sure, although probably you wouldn't detect a psychic shielding themselves (or it'd be harder)"

Reig says, "Well, time to try the ventilation shafts."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Fair enough."

[rpg] GM asks (of Zagor), "I dunno, difficulty good?"

Zagor rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

Tesher looks for the room next to the Count's and goes in to examine the ventillation ducts.

[rpg] Zagor says, "(empathy again)"

[rpg] GM says (to Zagor), "yeah, looks like it's clean"

Reig tries slipping in an air vent close-ish to the count's door (as noted from the picture) and sees if he can find a way through.

Zagor says (to Tesher), "No Count as far as I can tell, and no Captain, unless she's unconscious."

Heron says, "Squee and me open up the next best panel and see if we can work the ship."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Is there a good chance that the rooms near his would probably have vents large enough for, say, a small animal to pass through?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Oh, I see Reig is already doing so."

GM asks, "ok, Tesher and Zagor are trying to get in through the ducts, and Heron and Squee are trying to get access to the ship?"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Great minds, etc. etc."

GM says, "er, Tesher and Reig"

[rpg] Reig says, "Heh."

Garue heads toward the engine rooms and power couplings

Squee says, "Yikes! My god, girl, what have those Reeft bastards done to you? Rerouted your aux through the submains? That's so wrong I can't even explain."

Zagor says, "I'm not really a burglar, I'll just keep my ears and mind open for trouble."

[rpg] Heron asks, "hm...can we do one of those declarative action thingies where we roll engineering and then the ship will have ventilation shafts big enough for Reig?"

GM says (to Squee,Heron), "ok, I guess you guys should each roll engineering, unless you're trying something more specific"

Garue considers messing with some important looking wires

Squee says, "I think if I can convince the ship it's three weeks ago, our credentials will be fine."

Squee does that.

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 +1 | Superb (5)

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "sure, I'll buy that"

Heron says (to Squee), "Maybe we should reroute some more....like reroute critical systems through systems close to the hull...if you know what I mean."

Squee looks at Heron like he's an idiot.

GM asks (of Garue), "are you trying to keep the ship from taking off later? or doing something else?"

[rpg] Heron says, "uhm..How does it work? I only vaguely glanced over it somewhere and don't remember where."

[rpg] Zagor asks, "Tracking beacon or something?"

[rpg] Squee says, "It's just an action with a difficulty and skill and such."

[rpg] GM says (to Heron), "I dunno, just roll engineering, difficulty fair"

Heron rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[rpg] GM says, "ok, feel free to say whatever you want about the vent"

GM says, "meanwhile Squee is disarming the alarm systems"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Would it be possible to use Pilot to see if they've already started navigating their next course?"

[rpg] GM says, "now that Squee has got you in, yeah, that seems reasonable"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Er, Vehicles, I guess I mean."

Tesher rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Reig says (to Heron), "Say something about the ventilation shafts so I can go through 'em ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "afk briefly"

Heron says, "Well, the vents are pretty small but Reig could get through and it wouldn't take more than a screwdriver or a swift kick to get the other side open."

GM says, "works for me"

Reig says, "Oh, that one? Excellent."

GM says, "presumably with a quick boost from Heron Reig hops in"

Reig slips through, chirruping.

[rpg] GM says, "I was going to put in a whirring fan blade if you'd rolled lower, but oh well"

[rpg] Reig says, "Hee."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Ha ha."

Garue says (to GM), "I want to create a problem post-launch that will slow them down"

GM says (to Reig), "whoops, hang on"

GM says (to Garue), "ok, that seems reasonable"

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Ooh, what about sabotaging their sensors so they won't see us if we follow them?"

GM says (to Garue), "that'd be -- hmm, none of your skills are super-relevant here. maybe investigation to find a place to do it, and then get one of the engineers to help you actually do it"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Nice."

Garue scans the area looking for something likely to create chaos.

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "One hour warning"

Squee says (to Garue), "Well, see, you got a lot of options."

GM says, "and Tesher is pulling future course info off the ship -- it looks from what you know of guidepoints, their next stop is Xaxak, this unpleasant steppes-heavy planet dotted with radiation mines"

Squee says (to Garue), "You got your basic slower-downer. And the slightly more complex shaker-upper."

Garue rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Good (3)

GM says, "but Reig is the one with the more important thing of note, since it turns out there is an attack droid hanging out in Durok's room"

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Haha"

Reig says, "Oh, look at that."

GM says, "one of the pretty nasty ones with multiple blasters and personal blaster shield"

[rpg] Tesher says, "If we don't have any information on where they're taking Raqi, it seems like our best bet is to follow the Cobra to the next stop, in the hopes that whoever has her is going in the same direction as we are."

Garue says (to Squee), "Something more shaker-upper, get the crew's adrenaline going, get 'em distracted and worked up . . ."

[rpg] Reig asks, "Do I see it before I enter the room, or am I being attacked already?"

Garue says, "A jumpy crew makes mistakes."

[rpg] GM says, "I'm assuming you see it through the vent before you open it"

[rpg] Tesher says, "It would not surprise me if whoever took her is a third party who is also trying to track down the Abacus, and abducted her in order to find out where the Cobra was going next, and thus will be bringing her along."

Reig calls through the vents, "Hey, there's an attack droid in here. Does it sense movement? size? Any way I can get past it?"

Heron asks, "Conferring with what Reig saw, is there a power conduit or something in a wall close to the robot we could overcharge?"

Reig tries to describe it for the others.

GM says (to Garue), "seems like your best bet might be to just do the equivalent of air in the fuel lines -- something that'll go normally for a bit, then cut out the engines"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Convenient as it is to have a free hand to sabotage the enemy ship..."

GM says (to Heron), "given your previous roll, sure, if you want"

GM says, "it'll make some noise, thoigh"

[rpg] Zagor listens hard to the guards' thoughts and idle chatter, in case anyone else turns up.

GM says (to Zagor), "they're getting a little impatient -- presumably they're expecting their boss to show up soonish"

Reig asks, "Squee? You know droids, right?"

Squee says (to Garue), "Sure, I can add a randomizer to the antimatter control valve. That should shake them up, while slowly bringing them to a halt..."

Squee says (to Reig), "You could say that."

Squee asks, "Looking for a date?"

[rpg] GM says, "in the biblical sense, he means"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Reig asks, "If I flatten myself and move slow, will this guy shoot me anyway?"

Garue says (to Squee), "Hey, thanks, that sounds great."

Heron says (to Squee), "Unless you have any better ideas I'm going to blow this one to kingdom come."

Squee says, "That's, what, one of the Galacon standard enforcers? Let me think..."

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 0 0 | Superb (5)

Squee says, "Yeah it's probably set up to only target humanoids. Probably."

[rpg] GM says, "I think with that roll you can name one weak spot, yeah"

Squee says, "Meanwhile, let me see what I can do with this fuel injector"

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

Reig says, "Good. OK, gimme a sec here..."

Reig carefully unscrews the vent, and pulls it inside so it doesn't clatter to the floor.

Squee says, "Hmmm. Reversing the optimization algorithm should work... or it might blow them up. It probably won't blow them up."

Reig then oozes into the room, looking for the crystal mobile and anything else of note.

GM says (to Reig), "ok, so survey of the room: bed, cabinet, closet, door (presumably to bathroom), console"

GM says, "nothing actually visible"

GM says, "(besides the big droid)"

Reig slides over to the cabinet and opens it, watching the droid all the while.

GM says, "ok, stealth roll vs good"

Reig rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 0 | Average (1)

Reig says, "OK, I am fate pointing that."

GM says, "sounds good"

GM asks, "with what? shapeshifter?"

Reig realizes at the last second that his claws might set off the droid's sonic sensors, and retracts them and super-velvets his paws before continuing.

[rpg] Reig says, "(yeah, shape-shifter)"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "nice!"

[rpg] GM says, "your paws are SO SOFT"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Heh."

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "Ha!"

[rpg] Squee says, "When you need ninja-level softness"

GM says, "you swing the cabinet doors open -- it's got some gastronomic delicacies (mix of aufflin eggs and eyeballs, weej exoskeleton bits, etc), in the cool section, and a future PDA type thing"

GM says, "no mobile, though"

Reig slips the PDA into a fold of skin.

GM says, "schloorp"

[rpg] Reig says, "(assuming it's that size)"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, it's iphone-size"

Reig tries the closet next.

GM says, "another stealth roll"

[rpg] Zagor says, "It's the form factor of the future!"

[rpg] Reig says, "(another stealth, or am I good?)"

Reig rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Garue says, "you're good"

Reig is getting the hang of this.

[rpg] Zagor says, "Superb, I'd say."

GM says, "the closet's full of plain-clothes type uniforms, and a couple fancier ceremonial dress things, and one fancy intelligent-camouflage outfit people sometimes use for secret outdoor meetings or just to look awesome"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hee hee."

GM says, "nothing else of interest, though"

Reig checks the pockets, just in case.

GM says, "yeah, nothing much"

Reig thinks.

[rpg] Heron says, "I want one of those awesomeiforms."

Reig tries closing his eyes and sniffing, trying to locate the crystals.

Reig rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] GM asks, "er, sniffing?"

[rpg] Squee says, "They're like Folger's Crystals, right"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yeah, for alertness."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM asks, "right, I mean, they're crystals -- how will sniffing help?"

[rpg] Reig exclaims, "They smell like the earth! Vaguely metallic!"

[rpg] GM says, "I think the whole ship smells vaguely metallic"

[rpg] Reig says, "Hee."

[rpg] GM says, "(also, if you are wondering what to do next, there's still console, bed, bathroom door)"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I suppose in the meantime, it might not hurt to check the Captain's room."

Reig locates nothing by smell, checks the bed.

Reig rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 -1 | Great (4)

GM says, "ok, here we go"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I am not sure what, if anything, is likely to be there, but you never know."

[rpg] Squee says, "Pixel hunt, SotC edition"

GM says, "big box under there, probably three feet by a foot by six inches"

GM says, "meanwhile Tesher is looking in the captain's room and could roll investigate or alertness or something"

Tesher rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 0 | Mediocre (0)

[rpg] Tesher says, "...yeah. Maybe someone else should be doing this."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Oh, if you insist."

[rpg] Zagor says, "And you told me you were this great smuggler."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Zagor rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

Reig tries to open an end of the box, or see if it's labelled or something.

[rpg] GM says, "he's better at hiding things than finding them"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I am great at hiding things."

[rpg] Tesher says, "What he said."

Zagor asks (of Tesher), "Did you try looking on top of this table?"

Tesher asks, "What table?"

Zagor says, "Purloined letter and all that, you know."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "my mom is actually notorious for hiding her jewelry when they go away on vacation and then not being able to find it when they get back"

[Crows-Nest] Zagor says, "heh."

[rpg] Heron says, "haha"

GM says, "there's a picture left behind on the table, but with a few adjustments to the controls, Zagor gets it to display an entirely different image"

Zagor says, "See, I just need to control the vertical... and the horizontal... and..."

GM says, "hunh"

Zagor asks, "Hmm, what is this?"

GM says, "and in fact it's a face that is very familiar to Zagor, since he was just regarding it earlier"

GM says, "it's Professor Trevorno"

Zagor says, "My goodness."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "With a PhD in Abs"

Tesher says, "Well."

GM says, "meanwhile, Reig cracks open the box (which is made of polished wood and opens the long way, so it's hard to open under the bed)"

GM says, "and gets a glint of crystals inside, but it's hard to see more"

Fang has arrived.

[rpg] Reig asks, "How feasible would it be to get the whole box through the ventilation system?"

[rpg] Garue asks, "could you just get the cyrstals and leave the box?"

[rpg] Zagor says, "Dang, we should have prepared some fakes."

[rpg] Reig says, "I could try that, too."

[rpg] Reig says, "Lumpy Reig"

[rpg] GM says, "hmm"

[rpg] Tesher says (to Reig), "Don't forget to tidy up after yourself."

[rpg] GM asks, "how big is Reig?"

[rpg] Squee says, "It's probably easier to open the door from the inside"

[rpg] Reig says, "Rhesus-monkey sized."

[rpg] Reig says, "However large that is."

[rpg] Reig says, "Bigger than most cats, smaller than a large dog."

[rpg] Squee says, "11-14 plovers"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I believe those monkeys are plot-sized."

[rpg] GM says, "I think a human could just about squeeze the box into the vent, but I'm not sure something your size could move a three-foot-long box up high enough to get it into the vent"

[rpg] Squee says, "Too bad you're not a rhesus-sized ant"

[rpg] GM says, "it seems like it might be more plausible to get just the crystals out, but you'd probably need to take the box out from under the bed to open it"

[rpg] Reig says, "In that case, I will try to pull out the crystals from the box, keeping in mind that they might be connected in mobile-fashion."

[rpg] Reig says, "Oh, OK, timing."

[rpg] Squee asks, "Is the problem that we need that droid out of there?"

Reig pushes the box out from under the bed on the far side of the attack droid.

[rpg] Tesher says, "On the other hand, he'd need to take the box out from under the bed in order to take it through the vent anyway."

[rpg] GM says, "well, that'd certainly make it easier"

[rpg] GM says (to Tesher), "true"

Squee makes an announcement on the ship intercom.

[rpg] GM says, "the bed is against the wall, though I guess you could try to push it forward"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM asks, "what is the announcement?"

Squee says, "Attention all combat droids: hostiles impersonating Reeft guards spotted immediately outside the ship. All units report."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Hee hee hee."

Squee rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Tesher says, "Aw, man."

[rpg] GM says, "man, I have no idea if it will fall for that"

[rpg] Tesher says, "I thought we were going to get away with this unnoticed."

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

Squee says, "But I was Raised by Droids! They love me! So let's push that to +7."

[rpg] GM says, "true enough"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "ze reeft, eet ees ... I have notheeng here"

[rpg] Tesher says, "Also, I missed the part of this where the topic of mobiles originally entered into the story."

GM says, "the droid rolls forward (the door opens as it does so), and heads for the exit"

[rpg] Squee says, "It was a picture in that chick's wallet."

[rpg] GM says, "ok, this is probably going to turn into a mess in a sec"

Squee says, "Keep up the fine unit, Killinator 367"

Reig snags the box, and slips out the door.

[rpg] GM asks, "so what are people's last actions before it does so?"

[rpg] Heron says, "Well, we get the fuck out of sight."

Squee says, "I'm, oh, hanging around the bridge."

[rpg] Tesher scrolls back. "Oh! Huh. I guess I was too busy looking at the pufferdog to notice."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM says, "I did have a dramatic pause in there, I think"

[rpg] Garue says, "I was finishing up messing with ship's wires, as aided by Squee."

[rpg] Squee says, "I remembered because I couldn't parse "snaps" for a while."

GM says, "the droid rolls out of the ship, and you hear some shouting. "Override! Override, dammit!""

[rpg] Tesher says, "I guess if the droids are attacking, I will hide."

[Crows-Nest] Squee says, "Such sweet music they make, combat droids"

[rpg] Garue asks, "were we going for stealth with this?"

[rpg] Reig says, "I'm going to toss the box to a larger person and head out."

[rpg] GM asks, "ok, is the plan just to flee the shipyard under cover of the fight?"

[rpg] Garue says, "if so I won't charge out there swinging"

[rpg] Squee says, "That's a pretty good plan"

[rpg] Zagor says, "I believe discretion is called for, yes."

[rpg] GM says, "ok then"

Zagor keeps the picture.

[rpg] Tesher says, "Running away works for me."

[rpg] GM says, "I think we will say that you do so, but with a note that there is a firefight going on behind you as you leave"

Squee says, "Those guards will be ruing this day for a long time coming."

[rpg] GM says, "so I believe the wrapup from the ship is you stole a PDA, the box with the mobile, a picture of Professor Trevorno, and you sabotaged the engine"

Zagor says, "They should have signed the paperwork!"

[rpg] GM says, "oh, and you got the coordinates of its next destination"

[rpg] Garue exclaims, "yay!"

[rpg] Squee says, "I sabotaged the engine, but really incompetently."

Tesher says, "I think I know where we're headed next."

[rpg] Reig says, "w00t."

[rpg] Squee says, "(Well, Fairly incompetently.)"

[rpg] * nm has left the channel.

Garue attempts stealth whilst running away from a fire fight.

[rpg] Squee says, "And there's open air vents around."

[rpg] GM asks, "so, I think given the time we should call the game here, but before that, where are you going?"

[rpg] Heron says, "I hope we took care of any security cameras."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Xanax! Or, uh, whatever it was called."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Yeah, let's get there first this time."

[rpg] GM says, "ok, next stop Xaxak"

[rpg] Reig says, "Yay"

[rpg] Reig says, "Thanks! This was interesting."

[rpg] GM says, "thanks for playing, everyone -- see you all next week"

[rpg] Reig says, "Oh, one quick science to see what I can tell about the crystals."

Reig rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 0 | Mediocre (0)

[rpg] Reig says, "Wow, no idea."

[rpg] Zagor says, "They're crystalline!"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, this looks like a job for someone other than you"

[rpg] Squee says, "Mmm, delicious instant coffee"

[rpg] Tesher says (to Reig), "You should have rolled it next week :)"

[rpg] Garue exclaims, "they're pretty!"

[rpg] GM says, "it's pretty, though"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Reig also hands off the PDA to someone with Investigation or something.

[rpg] Tesher says, "So, wait a minute. This is disturbing."

[rpg] Tesher asks, "Did an on-MUD RPG session actually end fifteen minutes *early*?"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Heron says, "hehe"

[rpg] Garue says, "try not to faint"

[rpg] Heron exclaims, "Well, thanks GM!"

[rpg] GM says, "I've started adding an extra hour on, but it didn't work last time"

[Crows-Nest] * Touchy has joined the channel.

[rpg] Squee says, "Yeah, props to inky for juggling some pretty crazy scenes."

[rpg] Reig says, "Quick, let's get into a discussion about the best way to attempt the next conflict."

[rpg] Zagor says, "Yeah, that was fun."

[rpg] Tesher says, "Yeah, that action scene went really well."

GM exclaims, "too late, I'm closing the log!"