Campaign:SBRD/Synopses/Chapter 02 Nexus

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SBRD Chapter 02: Nexus

In Jumpspace: 3731-08-15

SBRD Ch.02 Nexus: Synopsis pt.1
IC Posts: #1 through #72
Postdates: 2013-09-22 through 2013-11-06
In-Game Dates: 3731-08-15 through 3731-08-22

Fortunate Son, along with close escort Leozard, entered Jump from Devonia system en route to Nexus system. While in Jump, most of the crew worked on fixing various items on Chief Engineer Max Black's "short list" of needed repairs, using parts and spares purchased for that purpose back on Devonia. Medical Officer Doc Freeman completed his treatment of passenger Nero Vulpinerrin for the gunshot wound he had taken just before take-off from Devonia. Assistant Engineer Leo Henry repairs the inoperative Engineering Bot and assists on other repairs.

Navigator Donoma Lafitte checks for discrepancies in Library Data about Nexus and notices that official sources from Nexus itself and from other worlds in the Delphi Union are very favorable about the Leader and how he has brought greater freedom and prosperity to Nexus, while other sources seem to regard the Leader as just another dictator who saw a bandwagon and grabbed the reins to put himself in charge, with financial and materiel backing from the Delphi Union in exchange for preferential treatment. Sources from Devonia and the cluster around Ostia are especially critical of the Leader's policies favoring merchants and shipping firms from the Delphi Union.

Passenger Lester Jordan (Nero's assistant/bodyguard) asks if anyone is interested in some freestyle brawling practice in the open space in the cargo bay; Security Chief Gayne Maize and CPO Bruno Kansakarrir have gotten in some sparring practice with Jordan, occasionally with other crew watching or joining in. Jordan proves to be an extremely skillful fighter and a helpful instructor.

Captain Hampton Rhodes and First Officer Kalos Thar take Nero and his wife, Marisa Vulpinerrin, plus Jordan and Nero's financial assistant Wawepaba, on a tour of the ship. Marisa reveals in conversation that she and Nero were both formerly in the military services of the Imperial Realm of Daibei (she in the Navy, he the Marines), but retired and moved to Devonia after their homeworld (Duurmurze) separated from the Imperial Realm.

Welcome to Nexus! : 3731-08-21

Fortunate Son exits Jump into Nexus system at 2105 on 3731-08-21, nearly a full day ahead of schedule. Sensors show the ship's position right at the 100-D limit from the mainworld, Nexus XII-G, exactly as planned. The gas giant Nexus XII's orbit is far enough out that the system's F5 V primary is a tiny white dot, barely distinguishable from any other star in sight. Within a few minutes after Jump Exit, the ship receives a recorded comm from Nexus Traffic Control, advising that the ship is required to enter orbit around Nexus XII-G at its present distance until contacted by a customs patrol, and warning that any other maneuver may result in the ship being treated as hostile by system defenses.

After receiving a private recorded comm from Nexus XII-G, Hampton calls a conference of all crew to announce that he must leave for personal business of an unknown duration back on his homeworld (Wosi). He leaves Kalos in charge as Acting Captain and specifies a detailed plan for division of his own shipshares. He will be leaving the ship immediately upon docking at the Nexus Highport.

The customs patrol check turns out to be much less welcoming and much more formal than the checks experienced previously at Devonia; as Hampton puts it, "Sounds like the mainworld rating of Law Level 10 means that all Nexus officers are surgically implanted with a rectal stick and personality inhibitors." All of the inspection team are in combat armor and well-armed. The inspectors require that *all* crew and passengers assemble in the passenger lounge for processing, then issue Temporary Visitor Identification cards for all, advising that an additional permit will be necessary if anyone wishes to leave the starport. Due to the discrepancies in the manifest caused by the attempted theft and last-minute shuffling of freight before take-off from Devonia, the inspectors order Fortunate Son to undergo a detailed inspection of all freight and cargo at the Highport; the ship is also fined Cr250 "for having a transponder that does not accurately report the name of the current Captain according to the logs."

Lt. Quigley comms from Leozard: "As a foreign naval vessel from a state without any formal alliance with Nexus or the Delphi Union, we are being denied permission to approach any closer to Nexus XII-G or the Highport." Since Leozard cannot escort any further, it Jumps back to Devonia.

Donoma notices some unusual activity around the next moon outward, Nexus XII-H. Kalos sets course to dock with the Highport. Kalos makes contact via comm with Horace Brumley, an expediter in the Office of Trade and Development and seemingly the only friendly and helpful person in the bureaucracy that runs the Highport; he is able to void the Cr250 fine, and also sends Kalos current trade goods listings for the Highport and offers to act as broker for Fortunate Son's cargo, which offer Kalos declines.

Kalos, Hampton, Nero, Jordan, Gayne, and Henry meet to discuss the security situation expected at the dock. There are usually two Protectors (paramilitary police) stationed at dockside to control access to/from the ship. It is decided that Gayne and Henry will also stand watches at the ship's cargo lock until everything about the valuable Lanthanum freight it settled so it can be unloaded.

As with most modern space stations, the Highport has interior grav plates and thus no need to spin, and has maneuvering thrusters to maintain its orientation and keep it steady to simplify approach and departure paths. It does not even orbit Nexus XII-G, the mainworld, but rather maintains a position nearby on the side of the mainworld away from the gas giant Nexus XII.

Kalos completes docking maneuvers under the supervision of Hampton. Hampton stands and offers his hand. "Good work, Captain. Nice to know my baby is in good hands." He turns to Donoma for another handshake, which she maneuvers into a goodbye hug. "I've said my goodbyes to everyone else aboard; now you two play nice and take good care of my ship, and I hope I'll be seeing you again somewhere in this region of space in a few months." He backs away and heads toward the iris valve, which dilates open for him. "With your permission, Captain, I'll go on ashore and be on my way." Kalos replies, "Permission granted, Captain. Fair winds and safe sailing."

Freight Inspection and Other Amusements: 3731-08-22

SBRD Ch.02 Nexus: Synopsis pt.2
IC Posts: #73 through #122
Postdates: 2013-11-06 through 2013-12-29
In-Game Dates: 3731-08-22 through 3731-08-23

Fortunate Son has docked at Nexus Highport, above the system mainworld, Nexus XII-G. Captain Kalos Thar makes an announcement for the passengers about procedures to disembark, and then to the crew about his plans to 1) recruit a new Pilot with at least a Level Two certification; and 2) once all of the Lanthanum has been cleared and unloaded and Fortunate Son has been paid its share, buy as many TL-11 grav vehicles as they can afford, then sell these back on Devonia where they are in high demand, then take the ship to Freehold for some refitting.

Kalos does some research on past-90-days sales data for their cargo and Nero's Lanthanum. He comms Horace Brumley to get a link to all Nexus trade laws and regulations to study in his spare time.

An inspection team comes aboard to search all of Nero Vulpinerrin's freight containers to verify the contents. It appears this inspection may take 2 or 3 days. Since someone from the crew and someone from Nero's company will need to observe the entire process (but not interfere, as they are told by the inspectors!), Chief Engineer/Steward Max Black sets up a snack table with pastries and drinks, which the inspection techs are happy to indulge, but the Protectors are not allowed to partake.

Kalos decides to go ashore to try to make some trade contacts, especially if he can find anything in the profitable "small package trade" (smuggling), and more information on possible connections to Nexus XII-H (which is supposed to be abandoned, but Donoma had detected a ship landing and other energy sources). He takes Security Chief Gayne Maize and CPO Bruno Kansakarrir along as muscle, since all weapons are prohibited under the stations Law Level 10. Kalos leaves Navigator Donoma Lafitte in command while he is gone, with Medical Officer and Cargo Chief Doc Freeman as second in command. Assistant Engineer Leo Henry will be responsible for security at the station inside the main cargo doors.

Kalos, Gayne, and Bruno get hassled about ID by some Protectors, then make their way to the "Accomodations and Restaurants" sector, which is what passes for a Startown on this Highport. They choose a high-end restaurant/hotel, the Nexus Prime, and are initially snubbed by the maître d until Kalos hands him a hefty tip. With a little more cash incentive, Kalos makes a contact through the bartender with "someone with information on the activity at Nexus XII-H," a commcode written on a napkin. Kalos and Gayne also enjoy a fine (and expensive!) dish of crottled greeps, while Bruno prefers a roast beef sandwich. Kalos calls the commcode and is instructed to return to the hotel at 1930 and ask the maître d for Mr. Blake. The group returns to the ship.

Upon return to the Nexus Prime, the group (Kalos, Gayne, and Bruno again) are escorted to a luxury suite where they meet Nirid al-Bhakar, known locally as Mr. Blake. After questioning Kalos about his past history and reasons for seeking him out, al-Bhakar pauses, then looks at Kalos directly and says, "Hate is an unpleasant place." Kalos tries to think of what this may be in reference to, and responds, "If Hate is the port at XII-H, or H-8, I am sorry but I have never been there myself so as to have any opinion of it."

Al-Bhakar smiles, as if Kalos has passed some test. "No, according to my files you have not. For one who has been there, the proper response to that statement is, 'But sometimes it is the only place to find what you need.' You would do well to remember that. Actually, those of us doing business there prefer to call the port Nexus-Under, but the nickname Hate persists from old days and you should respond appropriately if you hear it used. Now, gentlemen, please eat whatever you like from my humble table, and please excuse me as I reference my datapad on some business related to our meeting tonight."

After some perusal of his datapad, al-Bhakar pauses to look to Kalos, and when Kalos has finished chewing a bite of some salty stewed fruit, asks whether or not his planned itinerary could accomodate a freight shipment to Freehold. "Yes," replies Kalos. "In fact our current plan is to carry a cargo back to Devonia, then jump from there through Ixion to Freehold, where we have some business to transact." "Excellent," states al-Bhakar. "If you would be interested in adding a small but profitable freight to that trip, I would like for you to meet with Mr. Harris Niven at The Black Thumb on Nexus-Under." He slides a black datacard to Kalos. "This will act as your passport to Nexus-Under, and will also identify you to Mr. Niven as being sent to him by me. Mr. Niven will be acting as my agent in this transaction; if the two of you are able to reach agreeable terms, it would please me for you to carry this small freight to Freehold. And now, let us enjoy our meal and speak no more of business!"

Upon return to the ship and finding the inspection almost complete, Kalos announces liberty will be available to all crew for the expected week of signing up passengers and freight; Kalos has contacted Brumley to place an announcement of the Fortunate Son's next port of call as Devonia. He also notifies Nero Vulpinerrin, who thought he might wish to book passage back if his business at Nexus in concluded.

By 0545 the next morning, the inspection is completed and Kalos is called down to sign off on the Revised Manifest so that the cargo and freight can be unloaded. The final freight quantities were determined to be 36 dTons of Special Minerals and 12 dTons of Lanthanum. Kalos offered the weary Doc Freeman an immediate 48 hour liberty, and suggested the Nexus Prime in response to Doc's query about a high class place where he can find a game of cards. Wawepaba is also exhausted and asks Kalos to hold the freight onboard until it is sold.

Max puts out some requests for bids on replacing some of the ship's computers and other electronics with TL-11 upgrades. The first to return Max's comm is Arjun Rahaman, of Feziota TechPlus. They make an appointment to meet at a coffee shop near the docks.

Within a few hours of the Revised Manifest being completed and signed, and before it has been officially released, Kalos is already besieged with calls about the cargo and freight.

  • Teodor Raspinov of Guthrie & Sons makes a bid on the Wood, asks questions demonstrating that he already knows exactly what kind of Wood is being carried, and is upset when Kalos wants to wait for other bids before making a decision.
  • Indira Hemingway of Nexus Traders LLC bids on the cargo of Wood and also the ship's small portion of Lanthanum, however what she really wants is to get a deal on Nero's freight of Lanthanum and Special Minerals, and she offers Kalos a kickback/bribe if he can arrange it.
  • Inushuvir Grant of Smith-Grant-Paulson Factors also bids on the Wood, but is not interested in the small cargo of Lanthanum unless it can be combined with Nero's Lanthanum freight.
  • Eneri Kilshanivi of Kilshanivi Metal Brokers is brusque and almost rude, is not interested in the Wood at all, but makes an offer for any Lanthanum he can buy, and/or the Special Minerals if Kalos can arrange a deal.

Kalos figures that Grant's offer is the best on the Wood. Kalos works over the various bids on the metals and sets up a presentation for discussion with Nero; it appears that the best deal will be to sell the Lanthanum to Grant and the Special Minerals to Kilshanivi. Then, just as he is thinking that it has been a productive morning with pleasing prospects, he receives one more comm...

There is no incoming holo signal, only voice. "And don't bother expecting any, either!" says a cold, machine-altered voice. "If you aren't recording, you'd better start now. We don't care what other offers you or Vulpinerrin get for that Lanthanum, you tell him he's taking our deal or he'll never see his wife alive again... just assorted pieces which won't be nearly so pretty. The Lanthanum gets offloaded at this asteroid [coordinates] no later than 1800, 3731-08-29. That asteroid isn't in the Nexus Belt; it's a stray, out ahead of Nexus XII in this same orbit. In case you haven't got it figured yet, it will take you 125 hours to get there at 3-G, which means you'd better get your ship cleared and get moving by 1300 tomorrow, and you'd better believe it can take you that long to get cleared here on our nice, law-abiding, redtape-loving little moon. Within 48 hours after you offload the Lanthanum and start your burn back toward Nexus XII, Marisa Vulpinerrin will be released alive and unharmed on the next moon out from here, Nexus XII-H. She can catch a shuttle back here from there; I wouldn't advise you trying to go there after her without an invitation, they have a tendency to blast trespassers into shiny, glowing debris. And hey, just to show we aren't thieves, she'll have a credit certificate worth Cr43M... [the cruel laughter is made even more sinister by the voice-alteration program]" The connection terminates.

Kalos comms Nero and asks to meet with him; informs the crew, plays the recording for them; arranges to confirm the sale of Wood to Grant and have him offload it; then goes to meet Nero.

Investigations: 3731-08-23

SBRD Ch.02 Nexus: Synopsis pt.3
IC Posts: #123 through #159
Postdates: 2013-12-29 through 2014-01-07
In-Game Dates: 3731-08-23 through 3731-08-23

Fortunate Son has docked at Nexus Highport, above the system mainworld, Nexus XII-G. Captain Kalos Thar has received a comm from someone threatening to kill Marisa Vulpinerrin unless her husband Nero Vulpinerrin delivers his freight of Lanthanum to a distant, isolated asteroid. Kalos is on his way to the Nexus Prime hotel to inform Nero of this development, and encounters Doc Freeman on his way back to the ship.

+Two new PCs are about to make their appearance.+

Kolya Bogdan, an old friend of Kalos, currently using the cover name Victor Rotha, is at Nexus-Under on XII-H and needs a ride outsystem ASAP. He sees that Fortunate Son is insystem and Kalos is listed as Captain, so comms Kalos to query if pickup is possible. Kalos comms back that the current situation is complicated, but they may be visiting Nexus-Under soon and he will keep "Victor" advised. [Kolya/Victor's backstory]

Speaker to Humans, a Droyne Sport who had travelled aboard Fortunate Son several months before, recognizes Kalos and Doc in the corridor from the docks, and approaches them to inquire about possibly working for passage if the ship is bound further into the Deep. Knowing Speaker's useful shipboard skills, including his Pilot Level One Certification, Kalos agrees and invites Speaker to come along with them to meet Nero, so that he can learn of the current situation before he commits himself to travelling with them.

Chief Petty Officer Bruno Kansakarrir oversees Crewmembers Janna Vilshiggur and Benjamin Chance in unloading the Wood and transferring it to Grant's transporters. Protectors on the docks give Bruno a hard time and fine the ship Cr100 for petty offenses. There is also a mishap with a broken strap and some damage to one bundle.

Meanwhile, Navigator Donoma Lafitte has been plotting courses to the asteroid dependent on departure time, and also using her sensors to mark and trace three interesting ship trajectories. Chief Engineer/Steward Max Black has been dealing with uncooperative bureaucrats to get the ship cleared to leave the Highport. Assistant Engineer Leo P. Henry has been warming up the powerplant to prepare for departure. Security Chief Gayne Maize amuses himself trying to start a conversation with the dockside Protectors while examining their equipment.

Kalos, Doc, and Speaker arrive at Nero's room, and Kalos breaks the bad news that someone is claiming to have kidnapped Marisa. Nero immediately attempts to comm her but receives an out-of-service message. He tries to comm Jordan but gets a message that the requested comm is in service but not answering.

Nero raises his hand as if to throw the comm violently, then restrains himself and directs his IA to connect him to Ames-Dalton Interstellar Security. "This is Nero Vulpinerrin," he identifies himself to the IA that answers. "Client code [code]. I am here on business, staying at the Nexus Prime." Apparently the IA switches the call to a live human, but Nero continues in monotone. "Record this all, and get it to Heather Dalton as soon as I disconnect. My wife Marisa Vulpinerrin is out shopping, accompanied by our security man Lester Jordan. Your files have full data on both of them. I have just received a threat against Marisa's safety. Keep the Protectors out of this unless absolutely necessary to protect Marisa's safety. Marisa's comm is [commcode] and is not showing any connection. Jordan's comm is [commcode] and is showing a connection but no answer. Find my wife and associate NOW and assure me of their safety. You have my financial data. This is urgent, high priority, to Niflheim with the expense. I am going now to the trader ship Fortunate Son, docked here at Nexus Highport. Report to me there as soon as you have anything. That is all." He disconnects, shoves the comm in his pocket, takes a body pistol from his locked nightstand, and goes back to the ship with Kalos, Doc, and Speaker.

Brushing past the dockside Protectors' ID check, Kalos strides aboard, motions the others ahead of him, and closes and locks the cargo doors. He then makes a general announcement for all crew to meet in the passenger lounge immediately. In the lounge, he replays the kidnapper's message for all to hear.

Nero's comm chimes; he pops in an earbud to take the call, his frown getting deeper as he listens and asks occasional questions. When he ends the comm, he turns to face the group. "That was Heather Dalton, partner in a security service I have used here before. Her team found Jordan; he's dead, and Marisa is missing. Marisa's comm was at the scene, smashed. She said it looks like a professional snatch, but by someone who didn't care about bystanders; in addition to Jordan, there are two dead store clerks and one other, assumed to be another shopper. They just killed everybody inside, probably stunned Marisa, put up the "Closed" sign and locked the place up. Her team were careful not to leave any traces of themselves, and re-locked it when they left, but eventually the Protectors are going to find the scene and get involved. I hope you people can help me; we can get investigative support from Heather's firm, but they don't really do a lot of bodyguarding or have a lot of shooters on staff."

Donoma stands and announces that she has some interesting sensor data on three ships:

  • "The port admin here is very stingy with sharing data, but the transponder identifies this ship as независимость, under Captain-Owner Fyodor Fyodorovich Daniskolov, 200-ton Type A2 Far Trader. The ship departed Nexus Highport at 1145 this morning, and appears to be on a standard 1-G flipover course for that asteroid where the kidnappers have instructed us to take the Lanthanum. Won't know for sure until they reach midpoint and flip to decelerate, but there is nothing else of interest that I can see out along that track."
  • She directs Alfred to display another ship course that she had marked for tracking. "This one is a 100-ton Fast Shuttle, with no ownership or anything besides an ID code on the transponder. It departed at 1215 from Nexus XII-H, that mystery port that is officially closed, but according to your Mr. Blake is actually not. What makes it interesting is that it appears to be on a 4-G course to the same destination asteroid, so it would arrive substantially before either независимость or Fortunate Son."
  • "And now one more, most interesting for timing and for destination. A little bitty 30-ton Boat, not good for much cargo, but it left Nexus Highport headed for XII-H at 1105, right before the kidnapper called Kalos with his demands. Again, nothing but the ID code on the transponder, but maybe Nero's investigators can find out more. Seems to me that might be the kidnappers taking Marisa to Nexus-Under; it's making 6-G, so ETA would be about 1900 this evening."

Although some of the crew feel that Marisa is already as good as dead and the kidnappers' deal should be rejected, Nero is firm that he must appear to go through with the transfer, all the while working to rescue Marisa as he doesn't trust the kidnappers to release her. This means the ship needs to head out toward that asteroid, although hoping that Marisa can be rescued before the arrive for the delivery. "You know, whoever did this had to either have prior knowledge, or have acted on the spur of the moment with some assets already available to them. We hadn't even started shopping the Lanthanum around until after the re-count was complete, and our manifest wasn't available to the public. How could they plan something like this if they didn't even know that we had arrived with a load of Lanthanum?"

Nero is pleased when Kalos reveals that he has a few assets that are almost certainly unknown to the kidnappers: 1) an agent already in place at Nexus-Under, his friend "Victor Rotha"; 2) a passport to go to Nexus-Under without being shot at, courtesy of Mr. Blake; 3) a contact to be made at Nexus-Under, Mr. Blake's man Harris Niven.

Max suggests: "One way to know about the cargo and get here as fast as us is to travel as a passenger or crew on this ship. Do we know where everyone who jumped in on Fortunate Son is?"

Donoma looks around. "Well, all of us and Nero are right here. Jordan is reported dead and Marisa kidnapped. Nero, where is Wewepaba?"

Nero shakes his head slowly. "I can't believe that Wewepaba would be involved with something like this. He has been with me for years, and his people have traditions of loyalty that we Humans can only admire with envy. However... I will ask the investigators to track his movements and comms since we arrived in-system."

Max also suggests looking into surveillance recordings, and Nero responds that he expects those to be included with the investigators' next report.


SBRD Ch.02 Nexus: Synopsis pt.4
IC Posts: #160 through #192
Postdates: 2014-01-07 through 2014-01-12
In-Game Dates: 3731-08-23 through 3731-08-23

Fortunate Son has docked at Nexus Highport, above the system mainworld, Nexus XII-G. Marisa Vulpinerrin has been kidnapped, with the demand that her husband Nero Vulpinerrin deliver his freight of Lanthanum to a distant, isolated asteroid. The crew and Nero are gathered in the passenger lounge to collect and analyze intelligence about what happened and brainstorm how to rescue Marisa.

Nero receives a comm from Protectors HQ, but is starting to feel the stress from worry about Marisa and grief from loss of Jordan (known that man 25 years - one of my best platoon sergeants, before he got called to OCS - best friend other than my wife), so at first does not answer. Then he decides to call back, and speaks with a Detective Foley but soon gets into an argument about sharing info and hangs up on him.

Speaker asks: "Who knew of cargo of Lanthanum on ship besides crew, custom officials on arrival, and owner?"

Donoma lists a large number of people on Devonia who knew or could have known, but then rules them out by checking her datapad and confirming no other ships from Devonia to Nexus during relevant time. Also crew of Fortunate Son and all passengers. "Here in Nexus system, we had a customs inspection boarding, so all of that crew, plus whoever got reports they sent in. Then the re-inspection at the Highport, there were at least three shifts of techs, plus the Protector goons standing around watching, plus whoever got any of those reports and the Revised Manifest. Plus apparently at least a few brokers who got copies of the Revised Manifest under the table, because Kalos was getting bids within an hour after that was done, and I'm not sure the thing has even now been officially released yet."

Contact is made by laser comm with "Victor Rotha" so that he can be included in the conference, although with a small lightspeed delay.

Heather Dalton comms Nero with her next report, and he puts her on holo so everyone can see and hear. She asks that her information be treated as a confidential trade secret, then reveals that although Nexus law prohibits citizens from getting into each other's data, the Protectors snoop into almost everything, and Heather has access to the Protectors' data and comm systems.

She also reveals that supposedly encrypted comms routed through port or other public systems are broken by spoofing key exchanges, so the Protectors have access to all, except that Heather has blocks in place to prevent the decryption or recording of important comms to or from herself or anyone in her office.

Heather passes over a data packet with her reconstruction of the kidnapping. "You'll be able to examine that reconstruction on your own holo, but let me give you the highlights of our conclusions. There were at least two shooters, probably both armed with Snub-MGs or some other automatic weapon firing similar ammunition. One shooter was firing Tranqs, the other was firing HE. Med-scans of all of the deceased surprised us by indicating that all of them were first knocked out with Tranq, then shot and killed with bursts of HE rounds. The wounds and spatter around the two clerks and the one we believe was another shopper indicate that those three had already dropped to the floor, unconscious, before they were killed by the HE rounds."

"The exception is Lester Jordan. Jordan had an auto-injector for Tranq-antidote. My personal experience suggests that he would have been stunned for a second or two by the burst of Tranq rounds before the antidote was fully effective, may have dropped to one knee but did not fall, and judging by the wound patterns and spatter around where he fell, was on his feet and possibly fighting with the Tranq shooter when the HE shooter killed him."

She turns to look directly at Nero. "Sir, the conclusion that Jordan was fighting to the last is also supported by bruising on his hands, arms, and knees. You and I have both seen similar bruising before, when you used to make us practice unarmored hand-to-hand against an armored opponent. He was probably trying to take the one out of action to use him as a shield against the other, but didn't make it in time."

As soon as Heather pauses, Gayne interjects: "Those are exactly the weapons carried by two-person teams of Protectors. The probability that they were wearing combat armor makes it almost certain that these were either Protectors or someone using Protector gear as disguise."

Heather takes another sip of her drink, then continues: "Most of our work so far has been on this reconstruction, based on our holo scans of the scene and our med-scans of the bodies. But there is one more interesting factor that popped up as soon as we tried to access surveillance recordings. All surveillance in a radius of ten blocks around the scene was blocked for a period from 1045 to 1115 this morning. From body temps, we estimate that the snatch and murders occurred at about 1055 this morning. Note, I am not saying that there were recordings and I can't get to them; I'm saying someone else got into the system and blocked it all out so no recordings were made. We'll be working to trace and see who did that. We'll also be following our SOP of examining recordings from around the blocked area before, after, and during the block, but that will take time and possibly some luck. Fortunately we have facial recognition software to help."

Heather asks if she should make an anonymous tip to the Protectors to get them involved, and Donoma tells her they are already involved, as Detective Foley had called Nero about it. Heather is upset and confused that any Protector involvement did not show up in her monitoring of Protector comms.

Speaker suggests that it appears to be an inside job, Bruno adds that they should check on Protectors on leave of absence, and Max suggests finding out what Protectors were involved w the cargo inspections. Heather responds that she will check those things, and comments that the system Law Level really applies only to the common people, that the upper levels of society (those w close connection to the Leader or the Delphi Union) is extremely corrupt.

Bruno asks who should be handling the case under standard procedures. It would be the patrol team that discovered it, plus detectives and CSI from Protector HQ.

Nero pounds his fist and reminds that these questions are all very interesting, but only insofar as they might lead to location and rescue of Marisa. Jordan is dead and he will avenge that later, but priority now is Marisa.

Kalos suggests that Heather direct efforts at finding out why her information on Protectors seems to be blocked, as that might lead to who took Marisa and where she is now. Heather agrees that is certainly a high priority.

  • 1) "Ms. Lafitte flagged several suspicious vessels -- three, I think. Information on their crew and records would be helpful in eliminating them as suspects."
  • 2) "As discussed previously, any information you can gather from going through the Protectors' payroll histories and schedules could provide some suspects to question."
  • 3) "A further analysis of the security recordings in the area around the camera blackout could hopefully help us identify who took Mrs. Vulpinerrin. Even if you can't find any sign of her after the kidnapping, that too could tell us something."
  • 4) "I'd like you to vet the detective Mr. Vulpinerrin spoke to and determine why you haven't yet heard about any official investigation. If someone is covering this up, or if the Protectors are aware of your infiltration of their systems and keeping you in the dark, we need to know."
  • 5) "Alfred, please forward a full list of all the bidders who have contacted me since our arrival in Nexus, as well as records of all their calls, to Ms. Dalton. In fact, please also send recordings of my calls with Mr. Horace Brumley to Ms. Dalton as well -- aside from the Customs team that boarded us when we entered the system, he was the first to hear about our cargo. Ms. Dalton, please check to see if any of these people have had any suspicious contact with the Protectors or any known criminals."
  • 6) "I'm also sending you a copy of the kidnappers' call for any analysis you may be able to do."
  • 7) "This last is rather a long shot, as I'm sure any obvious connection would have been discovered by now, but I'd appreciate it if you could look into who allows Nexus Under to exist."

Nero calls Lt Shan at Protectors HQ, apologizes for prior response to Det Foley, and provides med-scan to confirm ID of Jordan's body.

Kalos sets up another meeting with Mr. Blake for 1830, same place as before.

SBRD Ch.02 Nexus: Synopsis pt.5

IC Posts: #192 through #237
Postdates: 2014-01-12 through 2014-01-31
In-Game Dates: 3731-08-23 through 3731-08-23

Fortunate Son has docked at Nexus Highport, above the system mainworld, Nexus XII-G. Marisa Vulpinerrin has been kidnapped, with the demand that her husband Nero Vulpinerrin deliver his freight of Lanthanum to a distant, isolated asteroid. The crew and Nero are gathered in the passenger lounge to collect and analyze intelligence about what happened and brainstorm how to rescue Marisa.

Donoma: "Captain," she begins without preamble, "I have some proposed courses for your approval. These all include automatic variations depending on what time we are actually able to undock and get underway." She flips a file folder from her datapad to his. "At current orbital configurations, Nexus XII-H is not too far off our path to the drop-off asteroid; only 3 million km at closest approach. To avoid any customs troubles or letting the kidnappers see that we are not all aboard Fortunate Son at departure, I propose that we all take off aboard Fortunate Son, then rendezvous with that fast shuttle at that point of closest approach for whoever is going to Nexus-Under to transfer to the shuttle, while the Son continues on its way to the asteroid. If the shuttle pilot is good, he can go first to XII-H, then make his powered maneuvers with XII-H sheltering him from sensor view from here, then do a low-power final correction to dock with us, and anyone watching from here should be none the wiser (unless they have someone as good as me on sensors, that is )."

She pauses for any questions, then continues. "That also gives you options as to whether or not Fortunate Son returns here after whatever happens out there; if necessary, we could have that shuttle bring the Lanthanum and metals back here for us to close one of those deals you had pending, then bring us back a load of grav vehicles to take to Devonia. Assuming you still want to do any of that, I mean."

Victor to Doc: I'd still rather someone saw Jordan's body. Having Nero match med records just isn't going to do it for me. If there is a dead Jordan, the time of death and cause should be carefully looked into.

[Doc Freeman] As for viewing Jordan's body, that's exactly what I'm proposing. These med-scans are what we use for all sorts of thing in this line of work, including remote diagnosis, and in real-time for micro-surgery and other procedures. We'll be viewing Jordan's body from the outside and as deep into the inside as we need to verify what was reported. If it makes if more real for you, and if you have the stomach for it, I have software that can put the holo body on my exam table and let us go through a virtual autopsy indistinguishable from working on the actual deceased (except for the olfactory effects; the software can simulate them from the chemistry data, but believe me, we'd rather not).

[Doc Freeman] I don't think you are following me. The med-scan, which I will be able to verify as Jordan or not by comparison to scans made during our last trip, will tell me more about time of death, etc, than I could ever get by examining a physical corpse. I was a Navy doctor, and have done more post-mortems than I ever want to remember. If I can verify this scan to be of Jordan's body, there would be no point in any shenanigans with the physical corpse. I have absolutely zero interest in seeing the physical corpse, and don't care what is done with it, other than hoping for a respectful disposal of the remains of someone who seemed a decent man in the brief time that I knew him.

The teleconference with Heather and Victor ends so that everyone can get back to work on individual jobs.

Bruno takes Ben and Jan to secure cargo and freight, and check for any worn or damaged straps or equipment.

Donoma receives a recorded comm from Heather with attached data package; cover message explains this is new preferred method for private messaging, as Heather has discovered that Protector Internal Security Department apparently has acquired new equipment and/or comm people as good as she is, and are blocking her from IntSec comms and data, and may be getting around her prior comm blocks. This also explains why she had not caught any Protector comms about the case; the team that discovered it were a couple of smart cops, realized the indications that Protectors had been involved, and instead of an ordinary backup call they immediately called Protector Internal Security. She also reports that according to payroll records, there are a Detective Angelique Grimes, a Detective Juman Foley and a Lieutenant Gregory Shan in Protectors' Internal Security Division.

Doc finishes his review of the med-scans of Jordan and the other three shooting victims, then dictates a report stating essentially that he confirms the "Jordan" scan as being the remains of the person known as Lester Jordan who was a passenger on Fortunate Son from Devonia to Nexus, and that he otherwise confirms the conclusions reached by Heather Dalton and her team in the event-reconstruction file.

Kalos, Bruno, and Gayne meet with Mr. Blake and he supplies commcodes for several reliable shuttle pilots who are cleared for Nexus-Under. He declines to discuss supplying armor or weapons, stating that they should discuss those with Harris Niven. In return, Kalos agrees to ship Blake's freight at standard prices, rather than double as previously agreed.

Victor sets up meeting with Wong Harold (Wong-Utryev Factors, level II or III boss at Nexus-Under) for 2030 at Blessed Fish House restaurant.

Flashback: Earlier this morning, as Victor returned home from previous meeting with Wong, he was attacked outside his suite by a guy with a vibro-knife. Victor heard the blade-hum and was able to turn the tables, kill his assailant, and stash the body away - no clues to identity.

Max reports that drives and powerplant are all warmed up and pre-checked, and ship cleared for departure anytime within the next 24 hours subject to exit inspection. He then decides to venture dockside to do a little Streetwise investigation of his own, meets up with some local spacers working out of the Highport (but very proud that they are actual spacers and not just dock-rats). They disdain the Nexus Prime as a snooty place unlikely to even let them in, and take Max to the Platterpuss, more oriented to working-class spacers. Max buys the first round (two pitchers of Ravishing Red brew and a large platter of chupaquesos) and becomes acquainted with Slick, Red, Tralina, Eneri, Jerro, Pierre, Erki, Helena, Serri, and their waitress Dory. He asks about Feziota Techplus (the company that had the best bid for upgrading ship's computers, comms, and sensors to TL 11) and gets generally favorable replies. He manages to win Cr10 playing a dice game, Ships-n-Planets.

Then Max gets some real info: Pierre and Eneri work for a small in-system shipping company. This morning, two jerks came in and rented Boat #3 (said they didn't need a pilot), demanding that the docks be cleared and all video surveillance shut off - Pierre thinks the two men bribed the shift manager to get this unusual service, but also thinks that the manager probably did not shut off the security cams because he'd get in trouble with the owner.

Max buys a pony keg of Ravishing Red to take back to the ship, and Dory flirts with him a bit, giving him a commcard for the Platterpuss and revealing that her full name is Dorinetta Birchmeier and that her personal commcode is also on the card.

SBRD Ch.02 Nexus: Synopsis pt.6
IC Posts: #238 through #321
Postdates: 2014-01-31 through 2014-02-26
In-Game Dates: 3731-08-23 through 3731-08-24

Fortunate Son has docked at Nexus Highport, above the system mainworld, Nexus XII-G. Marisa Vulpinerrin has been kidnapped, with the demand that her husband Nero Vulpinerrin deliver his freight of Lanthanum to a distant, isolated asteroid.

Heather sends in another report:

  • she has not been able to get into the Protectors' Internal Security comm or file systems;
  • she has flagged six Protectors as possible suspects based on work schedules and personnel records; prime suspects are a Squad Leader Bergen Augschmidt and Protector Querno Hovik, both of whom were on the customs inspection squad that intercepted Fortunate Son prior to docking at the Highport, both of whom are on personal leave from yesterday until next week, neither of whom has been using any comms that she can detect on the Highport since this morning, and neither of whom she has been able to locate anywhere on the Highport using Protector surveillance cams and recognition programs since this morning.
  • the Boat was rented from a local outfit, Mobotu Shipping, that runs a small fleet of Boats and Shuttles for in-system shipping; in addition to the timing and destination, its departure is highly suspicious as all Protector surveillance cams in the area were shut down at that time, and the manager who was working at that time has declined to discuss anything about the rental with Heather's people.
  • her investigators have not found anything particularly suspicious about any of the bidders; the only thing that even stood out is that Indira Hemingway has booked a vacation trip to Ashima leaving in four days. Horace Brumley seems to be one of the few genuinely nice and helpful people in the port bureaucracy - no dirt on him yet, either.
  • the analysis of the kidnapper's comm showed that the voice was computer-generated in such a way that it could not be reversed to get the original voice; however they are making some progress on back-tracking the anonymized signal and hope to have a source identified soon.

Victor goes to observe the Boat landing at Nexus-Under. With the aid of his handy lock scrambler, he finds an unused storage room with a cargo lock and viewport looking out toward the pads. The Boat is apparently delayed for some reason, but finally lands at 1935. The side of the Boat opens up to expose the cargo bay, and Victor sees two vaccsuited figures exit the bay towing a floater with a 1/4 dTon shipping container, each also carrying slung snub-MGs and large duffel bags (low grav, remember). The bay door closes behind them as they trudge toward an airlock further around the curve of the landing pad area. Victor will need to hustle to get into position to observe them entering one of the locker rooms to leave their vaccsuits. Unfortunately he is intercepted by one of the Triarchy guards, and has to take some time to fast-talk his way out of trouble. By the time he is clear, he can't go after the guys from the Boat because it is time for his meeting with Wong Harold.

Victor goes to the Blessed Fish House restaurant and is taken back to a secure meeting room (after being searched and relieved of his pistols but not his garrote). His business with Wong goes smoothly (his techs tested out the missile controls and found them satisfactory, the funds were transferred to cover the samples and provide a down payment on more of the same to be produced by Victor's "supplier") and his primary mission to Nexus-Under is completed (see Victor's Backstory for details). Wong was not interested in anything Victor had to say about Fortunate Son. Wong claimed other pending business and dismissed Victor to leave, rather than staying to party all night

Back at the ship, Kalos tries calling the commcodes that Blake had given him for reliable pilots. He gets voicemail for both Mr. Andresen and Jake Brannscomb, and leaves messages for both. Brannscomb is the first to call back, and they make a deal for him to bring a Fast Shuttle and make the rendezvous with Fortunate Son on the far side of Nexus XII-H as Donoma had planned.

Max returns to the ship and reports to Kalos what he had learned from Pierre and Eneri, speculating that it sounds like the same Boat that Donoma had been curious about (helps to have friends in low places ). Kalos immediately comms Heather, who easily gets into the Mobotu Shipping security system and finds: "That was it. Two guys as described, and one of them was Squad Leader Bergen Augschmidt and the other was Protector Querno Hovik. Once the dock was cleared, they used a lifter to move a 1/4 dTon shipping container from the van to Boat #3, then hefted over several big duffel bags, big enough to be holding either vaccsuits or combat armor... or Marisa Vulpinerrin, if she isn't in the shipping container. They sent the van away, apparently on automatic because there was no one in the driver's seat, then both got into the Boat, hovered over to the dock exit on lifters, cycled through the pressure doors to the outside, and took off. That's all I got from the Mobotu security cams, but it all fits exactly with the data I had so far, the report from the dockworkers, and then the tracking data supplied by Donoma."

Max talks w Nero and determines that the ransom containers of Lanthanum could fit on the Fast Shuttle that Donoma had observed on course toward the asteroid, and that it would be very difficult for Nero himself to raise funds such as the MCr43 promised by the kidnapper. Max goes to talk w Wewepaba, but finds him asleep and decides to let him rest.

Max does some more checking and thinking and determines:

  • 1) Marisa Vulpinerrin was most likely taken to XII-H by Augschmidt and Hovik on the rented boat, however without direct visual confirmation it is also possible that she could be on the A2, or even still held somewhere here on the Highport.

- the attempted surveillance blackout of the Boat launch makes that most likely, unless someone is trying to be very tricky, moreso that would seem warranted by the circumstances. The loading and launch of the A2 were not blacked out, but there were a few containers loaded that could have held a prisoner.

  • 2) Captain Daniskolov had put out the usual notices of intent to jump to Ashima, with openings for passengers and cargo. Then at 0225 on 3731-08-22 he announced that the ship had been chartered by a corporate client and would not be available for any regular passengers or freight. At that time, the Captain also began an accelerated application for departure release, which was obtained in time for departure at 1145 on 3731-08-23. Daniskolov's departure prep actually began before Marisa was kidnapped; also 0225 was a rather odd time of early early morning to make such a decision - however it was only about 1.5 hours after the completion of the Fortunate Son's initial customs inspection by Augschmidt and his crew. Heather's data reveals another interesting point: the company that allegedly chartered the A2 does not seem to exist.

Kalos makes an announcement about planned departure and allowing any who do not wish to participate to stay at the Highport. Nero insists that he and Heather will go with the rescue team, despite misgivings of some of the crew. It is determined that crew members on the rescue team will be Bruno, Gayne, and Henry, with Bruno in command as CPO, but taking advice from Gayne and Henry due to their more extensive combat and security experiences.

Departure: 3731-08-24

The exit inspection goes smoothly, since the containers were all re-sealed after inspection on arrival at the Highport. Kalos undocks the Fortunate Son and sets course for the rendezvous asteroid, following Donoma's plan that will allow a secret rendezvous with Brannscomb's shuttle on the far side of XII-H for the rescue team to disembark. He announces that he will take first watch as Pilot on the Bridge, to be followed by Speaker, who is working for passage. Kalos receives a comm from Nexus-Under traffic control and provides the black codecard given by Mr. Blake, receives clearance but is warned: "Fortunate Son, you are cleared for approach to Nexus XII-H, however you are advised that your vessel is too large to land here. Protocols from Nexus system control specify that we can't accept vessels larger than 200 dTons. Not only is it against our policy to allow violations, but I need to warn you that you will face big trouble from those folks over there. If you will be sending a lander of 200 dTons or less, please advise so that we can provide instructions for landing."

Max is concerned about the wealth and power they may be facing, based on the comment about a trivial payment of MCr43. He works through the logistics of who arrives where and when, and speculates that the shuttle intends to pick up the cargo right on time and run like heck to intercept the A2 before the hostage is released and transfer the cargo to the A2. Then they release the hostage and jump before Mr Nero can contact anyone.

Kalos sends an update to Victor: We managed to find a recording of that shuttle's departure from the Highport. The men you saw have been ID'd as Squad Leader Bergen Augschmidt and Protector Querno Hovik. Current theory is that Marisa Vulpinerrin was in that container. Apologies we didn't get this info to you sooner.

SBRD Ch.02 Nexus: Synopsis pt.7

IC Posts: #322 through #399
Postdates: 2014-02-26 through 2014-06-01
In-Game Dates: 3731-08-24 through 3731-08-??

While Fortunate Son was docked at Nexus Highport, above the system mainworld, Nexus XII-G, Marisa Vulpinerrin was kidnapped, with the demand that her husband Nero Vulpinerrin deliver his freight of Lanthanum to a distant, isolated asteroid. Fortunate Son is now en route to that asteroid, pretending to go along with the kidnapper's demands, while secretly planning to drop off a team at Nexus XII-H to attempt rescue of Marisa.

Although in clear space where regulations and standard practice do not require a Pilot physically on the Bridge, Speaker elects to take advantage of the superior controls and sensors there and goes to stand his watch on the Bridge, equipped with vaccsuit, carbine, and revolver in case of expected hijack attempt.

The crew and passengers get together either in person or by comm to plan what comes next. Heather displays a complete schematic of the old base, then marks what current status is believed to be based on reports by Victor. Some further observations are provided by Victor.

Assume that Victor passes along the following info along with what he stated above. His observations above are also accurate, although I would note that breaching charges are the sort of thing that should be concealed from the entry guards as not allowed without permission from the Triarchy (who don't want their nice base getting damaged in any gang fighting that may occur).

Quote: There isn't any formal law on Nexus-Under. It is officially abandoned. Informally, it is anarchy in which the strongest rule the weakest. The Triarchy is the three strongest gang leaders, so their men run most of the important facilities; including the very important traffic control that determines who lands without being shot at. Beneath the Triarchy, there are a number of other gangs with continual shifting of power and control. Beneath those, there are just individuals and small gangs trying to get by and not offend anyone more powerful than themselves.

"Restricted Areas" are only those that someone has decided they want to restrict, and has put some of their men in place to guard. The Triarchy has guards at the entry points from the landing pads, mostly to make sure that the facility is not under any combat assault by law enforcement (or anyone else) that is likely to damage the facility. They are supposed to prevent entry of any major destructive weapons without permission of the Triarchy, but their security procedures really aren't very good. The Triarchy thugs wear identifying sashes (green and gold striped) to warn everyone else that they work for the Triarchy and should not be messed with.

Large parts of the pressurized area are "Restricted" as turf of one gang or another. The "public" areas are a few major corridors fanning out from the pad entries, with some bars and restaurants and offices where "business" is done. Anyplace else you want to go, you'd better have an invite from whoever claims it.

Accomodations: If a visitor doesn't mind roughing it, there are plenty of unclaimed compartments in the pressurized area. If a visitor wants a nice room comparable to an apartment with amenities, he/she needs to find someone who has such a space for rent and make the necessary payment. There are no hotels, although some of the bars have back rooms where they will allow transients to sleep for a fee.

Fees: There will be the usual port fees and refueling fees (double standard prices). Anyone who is coming in to do business (has permission to land, but is not here at invitation of someone in upper level gangs) is required to pay a "Cost of Doing Business" fee for the privilege of using this facility.

Brannscomb's shuttle matches vectors with Fortunate Son as planned, then both ships cut acceleration for the transfer. After some last minute shuffling of weaponry (Bruno borrows Max's shotgun in addition to the ACR that he already had, and various team members grab snub pistols and grenades from the Security Station), the rescue team departs through the main rear cargo lock, tossing a line across to the shuttle and using that for safe transfer. Bruno gets Brannscomb's permission to board, and after some good-natured banter between Henry and Gayne the crossing is accomplished and all enter the shuttle.

Kalos comms Victor that rescue team is transferring to shuttle, and requests Victor scout the main airlock area and wait there to meet up with the team.

Victor scouts as requested, finding nothing unusual. At the main airlock, there is a sort of vestibule where four Triarchy guards wait to greet newcomers and make sure they aren't bringing in anything the Triarchy doesn't want. There are also two large locker rooms off to each side, for stowage of stuff that arrivals don't want to carry around with them (mainly vaccsuits). There are also some lockers that the guards will use to lock away anything that they don't allow arrivals to bring in (heavy combat weapons, for example, unless explicit permission is granted by the Triarchy). There are benches for anyone who needs to be here awhile and doesn't want to stand. The guards mostly sit on benches near the airlock inner door, unless they get restless and move around to stretch their legs. Victor takes a seat on one of the benches to await the arrival of the rescue team.

The trip back to the Nexus-Under spaceport on Nexus XII-H takes about three hours. About 30 minutes out, Brannscomb receives a comm from Nexus-Under traffic control inquiring as to clearance of any passengers or cargo; Brannscomb asks Bruno for the coded card, slots it into his comm, and sends the codes to traffic control, which replies that clearance is approved. The shuttle lands on a pad about 1 km from the main airlock. The rescue team, still in vaccsuits, seals their helmets and grabs their gear to trudge across to the smugglers' base. Brannscomb assures them that he will be available by comm and ready to take off on half hour's notice.

The team reaches the main airlock, are passed by the guards and directed to vaccsuit storage lockers, but Victor meets them and directs them to a more secure private storage that he has rented. The group then secures lodgings near Victor's own luxury suite. Victor hands out anonymous "burner" comms that he has procured for them, advising that they not use their own comms through the Nexus-Under routing system, but only for direct comm-to-comm encrypted talk when within short comm range.

After some discussion of the Nexus-Under factions and politics, Heather manages to get into the base's comm systems, but cannot find any surveillance cam recordings. Victor decides to go out and talk to a few local contacts (Streetwise) and learns that:

  • If you want something stored dockside, just find out who controls that storage space and make a deal with them.
  • The Triarchy controls the most convenient spaces, nearest the cargo locks. Subspaces with individual security down to extremely small sizes are available, as sometime the "small package trade" is quite literal. Inquire at traffic control about rentals; depending how much you want to spend you can get up to 24/7 guard.
  • Most big bosses have their own storage spaces further back in their own territories. There is an "avenue" (large passage with room for cargo crawlers) running right by the traffic control and on back into the port.
  • Re: Triarchy surveillance, most would prefer not to discuss that subject, but are pretty unanimous that nobody else besides the Triarchy would be allowed to run surveillance except in their own spaces. Privacy is part of what the Triarchy sells here.

Bruno makes contact with Mr. Blake's associate, Harris Niven, and after suitable exchange of identification Niven invites the group to come and meet with him at his bar, The Black Thumb. "It's right on Main Avenue, at the intersection with Cross-Corridor 21. I'll be here for the next six hours, more or less. My back room is as secure as anyplace in this port." Bruno comms Victor, who agrees to return immediately and accompany the group to the Black Thumb.

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