Session 2 - 13th August 2013

Year 1105

Characters:

• Hal Stryker - ex marines
• Hector Shackleton - ex scout
• Clyde Shelton - ex military intelligence

Our intrepid group arrive in the Grille system. No word of the chaos they have left behind in the Fornice system seems to have come through, or at least the ship is not immediately escorted to the starport. Instead the Endurance is allowed to land at a very basic starport, little more than a flat piece of rocky ground. Grille is a planet of little atmosphere and less gravity. Protective clothing is vital to traverse the ground to until access to the interconnected series of buildings in the city can be reached, where there is articial gravity and a breathable atmosphere.

Bauchelain and Kilavin, in full vacuum suits, are allowed to disembark first and are quickly out of the characters view. Hal, Clyde and Hector soon follow and are greeted by a figure who introduces himself as Nipper Fullwood. He escorts them to an office in the Sunflower Corp building, which stands near to the starport. Here the characters meet a sharp-suited man by the name of Harvey.

Harvey informs the group that they will get full payment in about a day, after they have fully checked the cargo to make sure it is intact and has not been interfered with. Looking on his vid screen he mentions that they have been declared wanted for treachery and murder. This causes some consternation as to how the message could have got to Grille quicker than their ship. He also recommends the Zero-G bar as the place to stay in the meantime, as Sunflower has credit there.

Heeding the advice of Harvey, Clyde, Hal and Hector walk through the covered passages to the rather seedy bar. After grabbing some drinks, plans are hatched as to the next move once payment has been received. With just enough fuel for a Jump-1 they are limited in their options. Eventually a decision is made to jump to Maitz and hope that either the news has not reached that far, or that the low law level will mean they do not get arrested immediately. Some fuel scoops may also be an idea to allow for use of gas giants as a store of unrefined fuel.

Deciding to see if anybody are in the bar knows where they can buy some unrefined fuel, no questions asked, Hector mingles with the customers, most of whom are slightly unsavoury, sharing jokes and banter. No pilots are available but he does run into one person who can arrange some equipment for “protection” at the right price. Hal gets involved and asks for a Gauss Rifle. As a tech level 12, illegal item, it is going to cost some. Hal does not flinch at the price of 6000cr, four times above the norm, and Hector manages to negotiate some free ammunition too.

After picking up the rifle and storing it on ship, Hal joins Clyde and Hector as they go back to speak to Harvey about possibly buying some unrefined fuel. A little bit of bribery later and Harvey says he will meet them in an hour with news about the fuel and cost.

An hour later, the crew are in the Zero-G bar looking out for Harvey. Just as Harvey is about to enter the bar, there is the sound of a huge explosion, and the upper half of Harvey is thrown over to land near the chair of Clyde, who has calmly remained in his seat. Pandemonium reigns in the bar, but the crew of the Endurance keep their cool and notice the barmaid going down into the cellar. Following her they find emergency vac suits, which they don, along with some weaponry and an anti psionic helmet.

Back up the stairs, Clyde overrides the safety lock keeping the force fields at the entrance closed. The “innocent” inhabitants are instantly killed and sucked out into the inhospitable external Grille environment. Here the group see the full extent of the damage as it appears a series of bombs have exploded, set in such a way as to maximise damage.

A gunman looks to be trying to fire on them from a distance, but seems clearly unprepared for zero-g combat and loses control as he fires his weapon erratically. The group close on him as they make their way to the ship, and soon he is flying out up into orbit as a shot hits his body. Two more are waiting near the ship in cover, but are spotted by Hal and Clyde. As Hector makes his way to the ship, Clyde and Hal sneak around to the back of the two would-be assassins. One loses control in zero-g combat, whilst the other is swiftly taken out.

Jumping on board, and after a quick survey of the ship to ensure there are no stowaways, the Endurance takes off, ready to jump to Maitz.