Characters: Darrurz, Joe, Mazun
NPC: Arthur, Zhosokh, ZeeBee
Location: Paql Reveresh Ridl
System: Sugutadho
Paql Reveresh Ridl emerges from jump at the edge of the gravity well of Sugutadho's outermost gas giant. Passive sensors fail to pick up anything out of the ordinary at the gas giant and the visible surfaces of the moons, so the ship heads in to refuel.
In to skim. Nothing new detected.
Skimming complete.
Paql Reveresh Ridl climbs out of the gravity well while the fuel
purification plant cleans the raw fuel.
The ship has reached safe jump distance. Nothing new has shown up on the passive scanners, so Darrurz executes the jump.
Characters: Darrurz, Joe, Mazun
NPC: Arthur, Zhosokh, ZeeBee
Location: Paql Reveresh Ridl
System: Sugutadho
Paql Reveresh Ridl emerges from jump around Sugutadho's day-night line.
Passive sensors aren't picking up anything in orbit, but IR picks up heat
sources on the night side (day side is lost in the glare of the host star).
Joe plays around with the sensors. He sees an irregular pattern in the radio
spectrum, but the signal is weak and could very well be just noise. He runs a
background filter reduction and amplifies the remaining signal. While it's
weak, there's definitely a radio signal there that isn't part of the natural
background.
The Paql's library data says that Sugutadho was an agricultural world
owned by the Sugutadho Corporation. It was fiercely competitive with other
agricultural worlds. It was home to a population of 500,000 sentients and had a
respectable tech level of 12.
Darrurz says, "Ok, so we know from Gungaerrg that the place has balkanized and
that some states are xenophobic. There's an E class starport here somewhere, or
at least a bit of rock that we can land on. I suggest we do a polar orbit to map
the place and see if we can’t pick up more radio chatter to pinpoint the
locations, spot where we might land, and see what we can see."
Arthur responds, "Sounds good."
With no objections, the ship begins orbiting the planet to learn what it can.
With a full scan of the planet complete, there appear to be four factions, one
per continent. The remains of the starport lie within one of those. It appears
to be intact. The faction that controls the starport is also the source of most
of the radio chatter, most of it appears to be with regards to weather
forecasts. The other three factions have their share of radio chatter covering
similar things, although one of them seems to be concerned with political
chatter as well. All four have some means of electricity generation and ground
travel (signs of railroads).
Darrurz explains that he wants to get a five-day weather forecast across the
planet, but primarily focused on the continent with the starport.
Zhosokh volunteers to do that. That frees up Darrurz to listen in on the
political chatter on the radio.
Arthur decides to join him. "Ain't got anything else to do. Maybe these numnuts
will give me a chuckle or two."
After listening to the political diatribe for half a day, they learn that:
Characters: Darrurz, Joe, Mazun
NPC: Arthur, Zhosokh, ZeeBee
Location: Paql Reveresh Ridl, in orbit over Sugutadho
System: Sugutadho
After getting sufficient rest—listening to all of those radio broadcasting
was tiring—the group decides to act on last night's decision to contact
the downport.
Darrurz opens external comms and begins to broadcast audio, "Sugutadho Down,
Sugutadho Down, this is the Paql Reveresh Ridl. Over." He repeats this
broadcast a couple more times, pausing between a minute between attempts.
Finally, he gets a response, "Paql Reveresh Ridl, this is Sugutadho Down.
We hear you. Over."
"Sugutadho Down, requesting permission to land. We'd like to meet and discuss
topics of mutual interest."
"We don't have you on our list of approved vessels, Paql Reveresh Ridl.
But we don't have you on our list of banned vessels either. Be advised that you
will be subjected to tracking radar, and weapons systems will lock onto you
until we can verify that you're not a hostile vessel cleverly using subterfuge
to lull us into a false sense of security."
Darrurz answers, "I'm interested in your 'list of approved vessels,' Sugutadho
Down. How might we get on that list?"
There's a soft chuckle before the reply. "Well, it's a multi-step process. First
step: Don't bomb us. Second step: Land at the downport, but don't shoot us.
Third: Try to get along with us. How's that, Paql Reveresh Ridl?"
Darrurz answers, "Sugutadho Down, that sounds quite reasonable. I'm sure we can
manage at least the first two and give the third a good go." He chuckles.
"Proceeding to land, over." Switching to internal coms, he continues, "Joe, when
they scan us, I want weapons lock on their radar although don't activate our
turret, and I want the sand ready for defensive fire if needed. I'll use this
evasive manoeuvre pattern if we need to break off," and he sends the pattern
across to Joe after which he lays in a course for the downport.
Joe replies to Darrurz, "If they ping us, I can get a lock with passives, but
otherwise I'll need active sensors, which are often taken as hostile." Joe locks
down the turrets and active sensors, configuring the console to release both
locks at the press of a button.
Darrurz deftly maneuvers the ship down through the atmosphere. As expected,
ground radar around the downport picks up Paql Reveresh Ridl, whereupon
the passive radar direction finder locates the installation.
While there's always the chance that the person on the other end of the
communication was bluffing, you get the sense that he was honest. The radar lock
doesn't develop into anything further.
Paql Reveresh Ridl's sensors pick up several military vehicles on the
ground along the edge of the tarmac. Their configuration suggests that they're
loaded with surface-to-air missiles. Fortunately, they aren't fired.
The ship lands.
Local time is mid-morning. The temperature is currently only 2°C
(~36°F) as the world's axial tilt brings winter this far south and the thin
atmosphere bleeds away the heat.
Characters: Darrurz, Joe, Mazun
NPC: Arthur, Zhosokh, ZeeBee
Location: Paql Reveresh Ridl, parked at Sugutadho Downport
System: Sugutadho
After donning their cold weather gear over their flex armor and strapping on
sidearms and other gear, Darrurz, Joe, and Arthur are in the airlock, prepare to
depart the ship. Mazun reports that the welcoming committee consists of several
armored vehicles and three dozen Vargr, most of them soldiers, all of them
decked out in cold weather gear.
Arthur says, "I'm sure they're just being cautious."
Darrurz hits a button to open the airlock and then one to extend a ladder down
to the ground. As he emerges from the airlock, the crowd visibly relaxes,
including the soldiers. Their relief that this visitor is a regular Vargr like
them is clearly evident. Darrurz waves and then descends the ladder.
When Joe and Arthur appear, the crowd exhibits a mixture of confusion and
surprise. There are murmurs, but there are no negative reactions. The pair
follow Darrurz down the ladder.
Three Vargr, two male and one female, approach the trio. They sniff the air.
"Greetings, I'm Ullarghan." His voice is recognizable from the comms. He's
probably in his mid-40s. "This is Nguers," the other male, late 60s, "and
Egurrue," the female, also about mid-40s. "Welcome to Sugutadho. Sorry about all
the guns. First contact protocol dictates that we show our teeth."
Darrurz sniffs the air to take in their scents while texting Mazun, Zhosokh,
and ZeeBee that 'All ok so far. Lock the ship up' and replying, "No need to
apologize; it's understandable. I'm sure pack security have similar protocols.
I'm Darrurz, this is Joe, and this is Arthur. We're from the Tagan Pack, on a
reconnaissance mission with the Tsougak Trade Federation, sniffing out the
systems on their border. You're one of those. Good to meet you." And he offers
his paw and forearm to Ullarghan.
Ullarghan takes it in his. "Your companions are... Human?"
"Yes."
"Interesting. I don't think that anyone here has ever seen a Human. They're in
our history books—never mind that. It's cold. Shall we go inside where
it's warm?" He gestures to the main terminal of the starport.
Behind him, officers are dispersing the missile carrying vehicles.
Darrurz replies, "Of course," and as they head off towards the main terminal, he
continues, "The Gungaerrgans have Humans, and they say that they visited. Did
they have an all Vargr crew?"
Ullarghan tilts his head to the side, and one ear flops. "They always have had
Vargr crews. If there were Humans, they must've stayed out of sight on board
their ships."
Egurrue adds, "That would be in keeping with their behavior. Their crews never
seem to quite relax when they're here. Always on guard."
Nguers says, "They had Humans on their world before the Vakh came. Perhaps they
worry that other worlds won't be tolerant of Humans, blaming them for the
collapse of interstellar civilizations."
The group enters the starport through a door with a set of concrete stairs.
While now out of the wind, the stairwell isn't that much warmer at first, but as
they near the top of the stairs it starts to feel better.
Ullarghan opens the door at the top of the stairs and directs the group to sit
down in a lounge-like area overlooking the tarmac. The room is warm enough that
one can unzip their winter jackets, the locals remove theirs. A young adult male
Vargr comes over with a picture of steaming water and tea cups. He pours one
for all present.
A young adult female Vargr comes over with an attache of maps and hands them to
Egurrue. She opens it up, looks through several of them, before coming up with
the appropriate 2D starmap. "You said that you were from the Tagan Pack on a
reconnaissance mission with the Tsougak Trade Federation, yes?"
"Yes."
"You've come a long way, especially since you mentioned Gungaerrg as well."
Nguers scratches the fur underneath his jaw. "It would seem that the 17th
Disjuncture's collapse is fairly widespread. That should make re-establishing
trade much easier."
Ullarghan asks, "So the Tagan Pack and the Tsougak Trade Federation are two
different political entities?"
"Yes."
Nguers comments, "That's good to hear. What can you tell us about them?"
Darrurz drops his left ear. "The 17th Disjuncture's collapse is compete. It no
longer exists as political entreaty as far as we know. Probably hasn't for the
last 70 odd years.” He sniffs the air to gain the scent of those is the room.
"That is good news," Nguers replies, unable to resist panting at the thought.
"Your nearest neighbour is the Tsougak Trade Federation," and Darrurz indicates
their 7 systems. "They are just pulling themselves together after the Collapse.
Our reconnaissance mission is the first outside of their own space that I know
about. Their main focus is restoring internal economic activity and their
manufacturing base, but they want to know what’s around and about their
neighbourhood.
"The Tagan Pack is coreward of Tsougak and in better shape. We were part of a
mission that made first contact with the Tsougak Trade Federation, and while the
politicians work out what they need to do, we were borrowed for this
reconnaissance mission.
"We've been looking around your area of space. We've been to Gvoksaedo, Ghudue,
Dueks, Aetosak, Akofotsidano, Zaeng, Gungaerrg, and now your good selves.
"Wwwhat can you tell us about yourselves and your area of space from your
perspective?"
The trio exchange glances to figure out who should go first. Ultimately Nguers
is given the go ahead to answer. "First off, we're a balkanized world, as is
common among our people." He gestures to Darrurz and himself, indicating Vargr.
"We haven't had a strong leader to unite us since the 17th Disjuncture departed.
A faction that clung to the old ways of suspiciousness of outsiders was still
present and tried to reclaim leadership of our world, but most of us had changed
and didn't believe that was the best way to move forward. There was a bit of
fighting. Ultimately a treaty was signed and we've had a hard peace ever since."
Egurrue adds, "The country known as the People's Republic of Ezagharuethung is
where the xenophobes reside now. Had they been in control of the starport, I
don't believe you'd have been permitted to land. Particularly since you have
Humans among your crew." She looks embarrassed to say that last part.
Nguers nods in agreement. "They blame the Human Imperium for the Vakh. While we
know that the Vakh originated in the Imperium, we also know that it was our own
people who carried it with them to our worlds."
Nguers replies, "Another flaw in our character makeup."
Arthur clears his throat, then asks via his language translator, "We saw some of
the damage from orbit. Do you have any starships?"
Ullarghan answers, "No, we don't." He looks disappointed.
Nguers adds, "According to the records left by our ancestors, the 17th
Disjuncture took every available ship with them. Which may have been fortunate,
or else the Vakh might have punished us some more."
Ullarghan, "So I guess to answer Darrurz's last question, we only know of our
area of space from those that visit us. Let's see... Ships from Akofotsidano
were always eager for food, but they've stopped coming. We already told you
about the Gungaerrgans. They've been most informative about our neighbors. It
seems Ghudue is further along on recovery than us. Actually, we thought that
maybe you were them, but your ship didn't match anything we have in our
records."
Nguers adds, "We didn't think they were that much further along than us."
That gets a chuckle out of them.
Darrurz responds, "Our ship is a Zhodani design. You are unlikely to see another
this side of the Windhorn."
Ullarghan tilts his head, perplexed. He looks to Nguers.
Nguers explains, "Another Human empire. Far spinward of here."
Joe adds mournfully, "Another echo from the past."
Darrurz continues, "You said you had an 'approved' starship list. I assume that
the Gungaerrgans are on it, but who else is?"
Egurrue replies, "Yes, the Gungaerrgans are on it. There were a couple of ships
from Akofotsidano, but as Ullarghan mentioned, they've stopped coming. That's
it. Well, we've had a couple drifters come through. They didn't say where they
were from just that they roam through space looking for food and supplies. Our
government offered them safe harbor if they wanted to settle down here, but
they politely declined."
"I remember them," Ullarghan nods his head. "The first ship was Girrgh's
Gamble and the other one was... I can't think of it."
"Rroe's Revenge," Nguers says with confidence.
"That's it!" Ullarghan's tail wags.
Darrurz replies, "Strike the ships from Akofotsidano from your list. There
aren't any viable ships with Akofotsidano crews anymore. Just Vakh. The Vakh go
to Akofotsidano to take Vargr and make them cyborgs controlled by the Vakh. We
don't know where they take them, but we do know they take them. Akofotsidanos
scratch a living inside what's left of the cities. The fauna there just eat them
otherwise."
The three locals exchanged puzzled looks. Egurrue asks, "What are si-borgz?"
Darrurz explains what they are.
Egurrue shudders. Ullarghan says, "Well, except for the Vakh part, it might not
be bad if it was a way to augment your capabilities. But the Vakh part would be
a non-starter."
Darrurz continues, "Would you take refugees from Akofotsidano if they were
willing to come?"
Nguers responds, "Yes. We'd have to clear it with upper levels of government.
They'd probably want to have an established system in place. Maybe quota
restrictions... but if we could get our allies on board, I'm sure they'd be
interested in extra paws if they're willing to work.
"How many would we be talking about?"
"I'm not sure. At the moment, pawfulls I expect. I'm not sure what type of
capacity anyone has to move any significant amount of people between systems at
present. And I expect that they would be willing to work as long as you treat
them acceptably."
"I think our government would be amenable to that."
"About Girrgh's Gamble and Rroe's Revenge, what type of ships were
they, and how long ago did they stop here? And have they been here more than
once?"
Ullarghan's head tilts to the side. "Type of ships? Spaceships? Not sure I
understand the question."
Darrurz explains what he means.
"Oh ok. Uh, I don't know. If you've got pictures of the different types, I think
between the three of us we could identify them. As for when they were here, it
was just once for both of them. Girrgh's Gamble was two years ago and
Rroe's Revenge was three years ago." He looks to Nguers for confirmation,
and the older Vargr nods in agreement.
Nguers adds, "But a year for us is probably different than theirs."
Ed does some calculations and tells Joe. Joe says, "Their year is 691.1 standard
days, so 3.786 standard years for Girrgh's Gamble and 5.68 standard
years for Rroe's Revenge."
Egurrue's ears pop up. "Wow. You're good at math."
Darrurz projects standard Vargr and Imperial ship types from his hand computer
onto the nearest acceptable surface to try and identify Girrgh's Gamble
and Rroe's Revenge. "If they ever come back tell them that if they head
towards the Tagan Pack they are likely to receive a welcome. They should be able
to get spares, maintenance, an overhaul, and if they want to make a living
trading in an environment safe from Vakh they may well be able to do that in
Pack space."
The trio concentrate on the pictures that Darrurz displays. They agree that
Girrgh's Gamble was a Hammer class merchant (100 tons, 2G, J2) and
Rroe's Revenge was a Ueknou class corsair (400 tons, 3G J2).
Darrurz continues, "Also you said that the Vakh punished you? How so?"
"They bombed us," Nguers answers. "A few cities were lost, others damaged. Oddly
enough, they spared the starport. But that was a long time ago, and we've had a
chance to rebuild."
Joe comments, "Vakh are still out there and give their punishments freely."
Nguers' ears droop. "We figured as much, but didn't know for sure."
Joe asks, "Is there anything you need or anything we can help with?"
Ullarghan perks up, "We could use some technical help getting the starport
functional."
Egurrue adds, "Weather satellites!"
Ullarghan nods. "Actually, any technical help to get us spaceworthy again."
"From a weather point of view we have an accurate planetary wide five-day
weather forecast, and an up-to-date planetary scan. Might they be of use?"
"Sure," Egurrue replies.
"When you say weather satellites, what in the way of planetary defences do you
have? I ask because we know the Vakh are after functioning computer cores, so if
we put satellites in orbit and you couldn’t defend them the Vakh are likely
just to come along and take them."
Collectively, their ears droop. Nguers answers, "What you saw out
there—surface-to-air missiles—is all we have. I guess we'll have to
hold off until we have a means to defend them." He checks his watch. "Barking of
which, I expect that we'll be hearing from someone at the Defense Department
soon."
"And what state is the starport in that you need technical help getting it up
and running again? We know you have functioning radar and radio."
"Yeah, that's about all we have," Ullarghan says. "I guess we'd like to know how
to get it functional again, in case any friendly visitors need repairs. We know
we're a long way off from acquiring fuel."
An aide comes in, whispers something in Egurrue's ear. She thanks the aide, then
returns her attention to the visitors. She asks, "How long were you planning
on staying? I ask because a representative from the Defense Department is
detained, but can be here this afternoon. It's not a requirement that you
stay—you're free to go. It's just... well, the military has a different
set of questions than us civilian types."
Darrurz turns to Joe and Arthur. "I've got some questions around what we might
be able to trade now, as well as agreeing landing rights for Tagan Pack and
Tsougak Trade Federation ships, and I'd like to ask about the ships from Ghudue
and Gungaerrgans that have visited. Do we wish to discuss defence with the
military?"
Arthur looks to Joe, who gives him a nod to go first. "Well, it would give us an
idea of where their heads are at. But I have to ask, what are you thinking of
trading?"
Darrurz replies, "I was thinking we might trade the pick-up. They may be
interested in it for their industrial sector. It would give them a chance to
look at something at TL8 which they might improve there own from. In return I
was thinking maybe some food surplus if they are willing to part with some, and
a whole bunch of cold weather clothing, especially ocean-going cold weather
clothing and waterproofs. The food, cold weather clothing and waterproofs should
be good for Gvoksaedo. It’s a risk, but what else are we going to do with the
pick-up?"
"Oh ok. I'm good with letting the pick-up go. How about you, Joe?"
Joe seems non-committal either way.
Darrurz talks to the welcoming committee about trading their pick-up truck in
exchange for some food and cold weather clothing with an emphasis on
waterproofing. They agree to it and promise to make the necessary calls after
them meeting, which is winding down.
When Darrurz asks about landing rights for Tagan Pack and Tsougak Trade
Federation ships, the welcoming committee agrees to give it their support.
However, the military gets a say in these matters. Assuming there are no major
flags, it shouldn't be a problem.
Darrurz also asks about the ships from Ghudue and Gungaerrgans that have
visited, particularly names and ship types. The welcoming committee come up with
a list of names and then rely on pictures shown by Darrurz to identify them.
Next: Meeting With Defense Department