Characters: Gvarokh, Lakir, Vincent, Dougok, Slade
NPC: Elloekothe, Chuck, Vlad, Uengghae, Simrii, Kagfak, Irma
Location: Pack of Daggers, in Sitka's atmosphere
System: Ikhog
Since the ship is entering Sitka's atmosphere at roughly 25,000 mph, Gvarokh
keeps a steady hand on the wheel, so to speak.
Captain Tsuengsaekh comms the squadron, "For those who are able, we're going to
rendezvous at the following coordinates in twelve hours." They point to a
location roughly 75° north latitude and facing in-system. "Hopefully
that'll buy everyone enough time to refuel and affect repairs. Our enemy will
likely have grown bored and moved on or will be too busy with their own repairs
to engage us."
Gvarokh speaks up, "What is the last known state of the enemy squadron?"
"Three ships destroyed. Three more adrift. Two damaged, leaving six intact."
"What about us?"
"The Aedhfazidzso here has taken some light damage. Nothing we can't
repair. Other captains report."
"The Aeloullagvoth has taken some damage to her thrusters, but it's
repairable. Jump drive is currently offline."
"Knangvulaekforr reporting in. Sensors damaged. Both maneuver drive and
jump drive are offline. Sustained several punctures to fuel modules."
"Aedzdakogzkfurrg reporting. We've taken heavy damage." Sounds of
creaking metal. "Both drives and power plant are damaged. Navigation offline.
Helm is sluggish—" The captain is interrupted again by loud groaning
metal sounds.
Captain Tsuengsaekh gets on the line. "Captains, you have your work cut out for
you. I'll leave you to it. May Llallaeknuez look after us all. Tsuengsaekh out."
Sensors start to get fuzzy with EM interference. Up ahead,
Aedzdakogzkfurrg and Knangvulaekforr are blazing hot on IR. As the
squadron is now on the nightside of Sitka, visual spectrum sensors are near
useless. Radar indicates a storm cloud in their path. Gvarokh continues to slow
the ship down, letting the rest of the frigates pass them by. He also alters
course to steer clear of the other ships in case sensors fail to provide enough
warning to avoid a collision.
After several minutes, now that there's a medium to transmit sound, rumbles of
thunder are heard.
EM interference grows, dampening sensor effectiveness to one hundred miles.
Once the ship has slowed to skimming speed, Gvarokh starts the process and hands
piloting duties over to Chuck.
Gvarokh turns to Elloekothe and says, "I can't believe that they didn't fire at
us."
"I thought it was obvious," she replies. "We have the weapon; Khigiikuli wants
it. Shooting at us risks damaging or destroying it. So they eliminate our escort
and negotiate a surrender."
"Huh. It never occurred to me that surrender was an option. He wants me dead.
He can't let me live. And he can't be trusted for the rest of the crew. So
basically, why would we surrender if they're going to kill us anyway? I mean his
opening statement was that we must die.
"Or is this another one of those 'they think we're all idiots' things? Because
if they all think we're idiots, I can definitely work with that."
She nods. "Well, if we were dealing with Aslan, yeah, we'd be dead. Vargr are
more flexible. If circumstances change, they can change their positions. We
don't deal with absolutes like the Aslan. Humans are diverse. Some are rigid
like Aslan; some are flexible like Vargr. I believe that Khigiikuli has spent so
much time among Vargr that he's more like us than like an Aslan.
"But thinking you're an idiot is always a possibility."
"Well, regardless, I am not going to allow anyone as dangerous as Khigiikuli get
the weapons. At least from us. The only way he get it from me is by breathing
it."
A check on the package in the cargo hold reveals that is intact.
With no signs of pursuit or shot in the dark style bombardment, Gvarokh
re-pressurizes the inhabited portions of the ship so that suit air reserves
don't go empty. However, everyone is to keep their suits on and helmets handy
just in case. The cargo hold remains unpressurized.
Gvarokh instructs Chuck to make a 60 degree course change to avoid being
anywhere near the frigates.
Refueling begins. Some of the crew get some rest.
Refueling and fuel purification complete.
Gvarokh instructs Uengghae to relieve Chuck, who goes to get some rest. He then
instructs Uengghae to slowly proceed to the planned meeting coordinates at the
appointed time. With that he heads to his quarters for some much needed sleep.
Everyone is awake and at their proscribed stations. Combat armor air supplies
have been refurbished and all non-occupied areas have been depressurized.
Pack of Daggers arrives at the meeting coordinates. There are three
frigates present. To minimize radio leakage and to make communication easier in
the presence of EM interference, the ships are only 100 meters apart.
Captain Tsuengsaekh hails Pack of Daggers. "Good to see you didn't get
swallowed up by Sitka, Captain. Are you ready to sprint to the jump point?"
Gvarokh responds, "Yes. But before we go, I have a thought I would like to
share."
"I'm listening."
"Those pirates knew exactly where we'd be. That means they will likely know
where we are going to be next. I respectfully suggest that it may be in our best
interests to alter the path we planned on taking to get to our destination."
"Point taken, and you're not wrong. We'll have time to debate that new path
after we mini-jump to Ikhog for proper repairs. The captain and crew of the
Knangvulaekforr deserve medals for getting her spaceworthy, but she won't
make the trip without a proper service yard."
Gvarokh replies, "My complements to their efforts. I am truly impressed."
"Alright then. Let's get into formation. Then on my signal, best possible speed
to the jump point."
Characters: Gvarokh, Lakir, Vincent, Dougok, Slade
NPC: Elloekothe, Chuck, Vlad, Uengghae, Simrii, Kagfak, Irma
Location: Pack of Daggers, near Sitka
System: Ikhog
The flotilla fires up their thrusters and blasts its way through the remaining
reaches of Sitka's atmosphere and out into space. Their pursuers are nowhere to
be found, so it would appear that they'll get a good head start on their sprint
to the jump point.
They're not thirty minutes from the atmosphere when passive sensors begin to
register a few ships near the south pole. And then more ships coming around the
equator. A dozen now, further out. Two dozen ships. Three dozen ships moving to
intercept. And some of them are large. The computer calculates ship displacement
sizes in the thousands and then tens of thousands.
A hail comes through: "This is Admiral Laengnourz of the Ngath Confederation
Navy. You are to shut off your thrusters immediately and stand by to be
boarded."
Vincent moans, "Well, it looks like we're fucked. What are the chances that they
knew what we've done all along and we were set up to be murdered?"
Chuck answers, "Nah. Too complicated. They could've just shot us on Gemid."
Gvarokh immediately cuts the thrusters and lets the ship drift on momentum. He
ignores the chatter and starts giving the crew direction. "Elloe, go to Irma and
help her hide the sample and obfuscate her research. It needs to look like the
sample doesn't exist and we never had it."
"On it."
"Slade, prep the jump drive just in case we need to make an emergency jump."
"But—"
"I know we're way deep in the gravity well, but possible death is better than
certain death."
"Ok."
"Everyone else, play it cool no matter how uncomfortable things get. There's
still a chance that we survive this."
He then opens a channel with Captain Tsuengsaekh and says coolly, "Friends of
yours?"
"Not sure. I'm about to find out." There's a measure of concern in his voice.
Gvarokh notes that the three frigates have also shut off their thrusters.
Tsuengsaekh broadcasts his reply to the admiral. "This is Captain Tsuengsaekh of
the Confederation Navy Ship Aedhfazidzso. Your timing is fortuitous,
Admiral. We were attacked by a squadron of fourteen corsairs and had to seek
shelter in the gas giant to make repairs and re-fuel."
"Yes, I apologize for not getting here sooner, Captain. I was informed that you
have four frigates under your command."
"Yes. The Aedzdakogzfurrg sustained heavy damage in battle and was unable
to withstand the turbulent conditions within the gas giant."
"That is an unfortunate loss. We have dealt with the corsairs. They will trouble
you no more."
"That's great news, Admiral. Many thanks."
"Don't thank me yet, Captain. You are to be detained for questioning."
"Detained? For what, Admiral?"
"For your role in the conspiracy to assassinate Great Hunter Ngath."
"What? I don't know what you're talking about."
"I doubt that, Captain. Cooperate with me, Captain. It's in your best interest."
"Of course. I need to clear my name."
The admiral then addresses Pack of Daggers. "Captain Gvarokh of the
Pack of Daggers, I have been informed of your and your crew's reluctant
role in this nefarious plot. Is it safe to assume that the weapon is intact and
undamaged?"
Gvarokh replies, "Yes, that is the case. The corsairs refrained from shooting at
us. Presumably they wanted it too."
"That is what my informant says. From what I understand of its potential, I'd
like for it to remain on-board your ship. Please rendezvous with my ship at
these coordinates. We'll talk more later. Laengnourz out."
Over shipcomm, Gvarokh says, "Elloekothe, your task is even more important now."
She replies, "Unless something has changed, Laengnourz is a loyalist. The fact
that he's not arresting us suggests that he knows we were forced into the
assassination plot. But if something has changed, then we're working for him
now."
Gvarokh plugs in the coordinates that Admiral Laengnourz gave him. It will put
them on an intercept course with the largest ship in the fleet. While doing so,
he responds to Elloekothe, "I figured he was a Ngath loyalist. However, we need
to keep the other sample for Irma to do her work. We really need to not lose
that work as it looks to be our only chance to finish at least part of our
actual mission. But if we are called on it, we'll have to turn that over too.
Hopefully, his informant was with the corsairs, not the conspirators."
Some time later, when Pack of Daggers rendezvous with
Aedhfazidzso, the admiral tightbeams the ship. "Captain Gvarokh, I have
to admit that I have a bit of a conundrum. While I can't in good conscience let
you leave the Confederation with that weapon, I don't want it aboard any of my
ships either. My understanding is that if it leaks, all aboard the containing
ship will perish. I'm inclined to destroy your ship just to be sure—after
evacuating you and your crew of course.
"I've dispatched a courier to inform our Great Hunter Ngath of our situation,
but I will not receive a response for some time, so your fate is in my hands. As
my informant swears that you were an unwilling participant in this plot, I will
give you a chance to plead your case. What say you?"
Chuck texts Gvarokh a message asking him if he wants to share news of Vincent's
database hacking work.
Gvarokh texts back, "Not yet."
Gvarokh tells the admiral their cover story, told so many times now that it's
second nature. He follows the desire for revenge in Corridor part with hearing
about Gemid and looking for someone to get them an introduction. He talks about
the meeting with Soks, but leaves out the Newcastle job, and talks about the
application meeting, but leaves out the Ikhog reveal.
"And yes, we were not willing participants in this. I admit that we did buy the
weapon, but it certainly was not to kill the Great Hunter. We have nothing
against this great Confederation and were going to use the weapon to research an
immunity and, yes, settle some scores back in Corridor. However, after winning
the bid to purchase it, we were double-crossed and forced to take the
assassination plot. I figured refusing the deal would end up with myself and my
entire crew dead immediately, so I didn’t believe I had an option. However, we
had no intention of fulfilling the mission. We planned on either fleeing when
the opportunity arose, or parleying with the Great Hunter's protectors if we
couldn't get away before then."
"As an outsider with no loyalties to the Confederation, why not comply with
assassination requirement?"
"Because we have nothing against the Great Hunter, and now I hate the Gemid
committee for their double-cross. I'd rather die than see them succeed. Plus,
killing the Great Hunter, assuming that was even possible, would have only
resulted in our deaths anyway. Basically, we were dead if we didn't take the
mission; we were dead if we failed the mission; we were dead if we succeeded in
the mission. Our only hope was to either find a good time to flee or subvert the
mission when we made it to the destination. Not great odds either way, but it's
what we had."
"So why didn't you flee after diving into the gas giant, or for that matter,
just remaining in hiding?"
"Well, for all we knew, the corsairs were still around, and having three
frigates to escort us out was probably our best bet to get out."
The admiral nods. "Yes, since the corsairs were after the weapon, they would
have bit the frigates before biting you. You might have even had time to reach
the jump point, or risk jumping early if you weren't quite there."
Gvarokh then says, "I would prefer to keep our ship. The fact that we are
talking right now means the ship hasn't been contaminated. In fact, the weapon
has timed locks on it that prevent us from even trying to access anything in it
until we got to the correct spot in the 'schedule'. If you don't want to even
touch it, can we just launch it into the local sun and call it done? Or drop it
into this handy gas giant?"
"I'll take you up on your offer to dispose of the weapon, but I don't trust the
gas giant to be a safe disposal site. However, the sun will do, and it will be
a good way to kill some time while we wait for Ngath's response. I'll send an
escort with you to ensure that you arrive safely and keep your word. A bomb
disposal unit will board your ship, retrieve the weapon, and launch into the
sun. After that, I'll be convinced that you're not just yanking my tail.
My navigator says that it should take you seven standard days and ten hours to
get there. My tactical officer says your ship has enough fuel to cover the
round trip if you're smart. If you don't have enough food or life support
refurbishment materials, you can requisition them at cost. Do you agree to my
terms?"
Gvarokh responds, "Well, with the gas giant, I expected you to blow up the
weapon, then let the debris fall into the gas giant. But, yes, I accept your
terms to dropping it into the sun. If you don't mind, I will check with our
chief steward to ensure we have adequate supplies."
"Good. Here's the contact info for the Aedhfazidzso's chief steward." The
information is transmitted to your ship. "Let her know what you need. Your
escort will be assembled and ready to run by the time that you're ready.
Aedhfazidzso out."
Once the connection is cut, Gvarokh asks Chuck if there's anything they need for
the trip and the next two jumps.
"We should just take advantage of the offer and requisition it," he says. "Who
knows when we're going to get refurbished again?"
Lakir pipes in, "If this shit goes sideways and we have ta make a run for the
border, we're gonna be refueling at the most remote places possible."
Gvarokh replies, "I agree."
Characters: Gvarokh, Lakir, Vincent, Dougok, Slade
NPC: Elloekothe, Chuck, Vlad, Uengghae, Simrii, Kagfak, Irma
Location: Pack of Daggers
System: Ikhog
Two weeks worth of food and life support refurbishment materials were delivered
to the ship and stowed in the cargo hold. Four Agverrgh class destroyers
pull alongside Pack of Daggers and, when all are ready, depart the gas
giant in formation and burn towards the local sun.
Gvarokh has the bridge crew set up for eight-hour shifts while engineering
splits twelve-hour shifts. There isn't much for either group to do other than
monitor sensors which are set to make loud alarms should anyone doze off while
something happens.
Vincent announces that his decryption program has finally beat the encryption on
the databases that were snagged from Gemid. After that, it doesn't take long
for him to find the files pertaining to the bioweapon. The files are then sent
over to Irma to study and hopefully figure out a counteragent.
Gvarokh is pleased with Vincent's success and asks him to find out what else is
in there.
Midpoint to sun. Deceleration begins.
Arrival at sun.
A modular cutter departs from one of the destroyers and pulls up to the belly of
Pack of Daggers. Vlad, Lakir, Simrii, and Dougok hand the weapon off to
an awaiting complement of Confederation personnel. They load it into an open
module and move towards the sun. Once they're about a thousand kilometers away
from the flotilla, a rocket is fired from the open module toward the sun. The
modular cutter returns to its parent destroyer while the squadron watches the
rocket's journey until it is overwhelmed by the star's heat and explodes.
The squadron commander then gives the order to return to the fleet at Sitka.
Midpoint to Sitka. Deceleration begins.
Irma announces that she sees a pathway for a vaccine, but can not synthesize one
on board the ship.
Gvarokh calls a meeting to discuss Irma's findings and Vincent's database dive.
"What do you need to make the vaccine?" he asks. "Something specific or just
general facilities?"
"Definitely facilities," Irma answers. "I'd need a null gravity molecular sorter
and a stable beta radiation diffusion gel bed. Not to mention all the safety
equipment to operate in those conditions."
Gvarokh turns to Elloekothe. "Would returning with samples of the virus and hard
data on a potential vaccine be sufficient to constitute a successful mission?
I don't see how we have a path back to Gemid anymore, so blowing up the
facilities is probably a lot harder now."
"Neutralizing the threat is part of the mission. That directive included
destruction of data for weapon construction as well as the facility itself."
"My worm should have taken out the data by now," Vincent says with a small
measure of pride.
"But we can't rule out the possibility that the data was backed up somewhere."
"Well, yeah, I guess that's true," Vincent replies sheepishly.
"What else is in the databases?" Gvarokh asks Vincent.
Vincent perks up. "More nasty bio-weapon stuff: Respiratory attacks; information
about creating neurotoxins tailor-made for specific species, ethnic groups, and
families; neurological insecticides; neurological rashes; a virus that makes
people go berserk; neurological pacifiers; and various delivery systems."
Gvarokh turns to Ellokothe. "What about this Admiral Laengnourz? Could we talk
him into letting us return to Gemid to blow up the facility? Or does he want to
control it just to make sure it's loyal? Does anyone else know the assassination
mission has been compromised?"
She replies, "Unless there's someone that Captain Tsuengsaekh was supposed to
check in with along the route, I don't see how anyone else would know.
"My intel states that Admiral Laengnourz is a Ngath loyalist. Some have
disparagingly called him a 'lap dog.' He's not going to want to run a
decapitation strike on Gemid unless Ngath says so. For all we know, Ngath might
want to keep Gemid's toys for himself. And if those toys are broken, he'll take
it out on Laengnourz's hide.
"He mentioned sending a courier to Gvadhoe for further instructions. When that
courier returns, we'll have our answers."
Gvarokh responds, "I guess we'll just have to bide out time until then." After
a pause, he continues, "But if the stuff they're working on is as bad as the
download shows, we'll need to figure out a way to bomb the shit out of it.
Assuming we could even get close enough."
After a moment of pondering, Vlad says, "We wouldn't have to get close."
The eyes of the room turn to him.
"We can drop a rock from one of the asteroid belts on them. It doesn't have to
be that big. Since Gemid has a very thin atmosphere, one hundred meters could do
the trick. Two hundred for sure. The city's dome will shatter. If the fireball
doesn't scorch everything, the mass impactor will." He adds, "Part of my
demolitions training back in the Marines."
Gvarokh thinks for a bit and says, "Well, that certainly does give us options.
It would be hard to do that too stealthily, but maybe we could use a much closer
near-orbit asteroid or comet. That would give them less time to react. After we
are released, assuming we can do it without incident, we can run the maths to
see how much time and effort it would take to do. Even if we do have to use
object from farther out, maybe we could get several of these going before they
noticed any were coming."
Chuck says, "After this meeting, I'll check the nav computer and pull up the
astrometry database for Gemid. Maybe Vlad and I can find some candidates.
Vincent, can you help with the rock size to ship thrust calculations?"
"Sure!"
Rendezvous with the fleet at Sitka.
Next: Back with the Fleet