castle games and gifts, llc

[starhawk]

4/26/10 Week 44 (Day 148)

It is 1500 on 1723 Coventry (X565733-2)/Drexilthar Subsector/Reaver’s Deep (day 148). Aboard the “Ihatei” alarms go off as a large creature arrives over the “Ihatei” and lands looking into the cockpit. It is a huge dragon! Horace (Chris G.) and Taral are not sure what to do when all aboard lose consciousness. Horace awakens and sees 2 humanoids aboard the vessel, one dressed in red and the other in blue cloaks with pointed caps and each with staffs. Horace sees them thinking them some sort of native and Zhodani then they disappear and there is no longer a huge dragon.

Meanwhile the airraft crew (Kath’les – John R., Aiden – Aaron, Claw – David K. and Cleo) at the ruins, makes several trips ultimately taking the 250 kegs of liquor to Lord Vanyon’s convoy. Done they head back and dock aboard the “Ihatei” with their loot.

Warning alarms go off as a large mass some 6K tons is detected about 3 miles from the southeast at 1500 mph. Communications detect some sort of “Mayday”. Horace lifts the “Ihatei” with everyone taking their battlestations. A large spaceliner is seem on fire and out of control being chased by 2 black familiar fighters, their “Bugs”! (Salxsss). Also there is a village some 7 miles distant to the northwest and seems to be where the damaged starship will be crashing according to computer projections.

Aiden up in top dorsal turret fires and destroys one of the Bug fighters, the other veers off and accelerates climbing into space; gone! Strange comms incomes and is translated seeming to be some ancient Zhodani dialect, almost 1000 years old as does the spaceliner. They thank the “Ihatei” but they are going down, crashing. Horace asks everyone what they can do? Riley says “What about trying to use the black cube? But I will need some help down here to get it ready.” Horace says ok and tells Aiden to get down and help Riley. Taral and Claw are to get down to the bays and assist with getting passengers transferred. They comply.

Meanwhile Horace will try and fly to and attach to the ship now identified as the “Volarani” and try and take aboard whatever passengers and crew able to. They are told there is over 600 people aboard and is doesn’t seem likely that “Ihatei” would be able to transfer more than 160 before it is to late. “Well we shall try whatever can do!” shouts Horace. He tells Qeritz to be ready for wounded.

Horace maneuvers the “Ihatei” attaching to the “Volarani”. Bay doors are opened and seemingly very orderly passengers, mainly women and children make the transfer. Aside from crew there are turbaned armed individuals that seem to keep the crowds orderly and free from panic, Thought Police summarizes Horace. About 230 are transferred when power fluxgates with Riley crying over the comms circuit “Sorry problems with connections but we are ready when you so order!” Riley tells Aiden to set-up a timing circuit and set it for about 5 minutes. He does and over the comms can be heard “Do it!” by “Horace.

A silence and blackness envelopes all. What seems to be an eternity, actually 5 minutes goes by and then dissipates with sunlight streaming into the bridge windows. Black smoke can also be seen pouring upwards. The “Ihatei” settles showing damage to various sections including the starboard struts. Taral rushes over to the windows describing what is seen. A large portion of the village can be seen on fire. The rear 3rd of the spaceliner broke off and cratered throwing pieces all over, mainly the cause for the village damage and fire. The rest 2/3rds along with the “Ihatei” ploughed a mile long nice hole from the black globe formed from the black cube. About 80% of the “Volarani” personnel (520) survived because of it. Villagers can be seen coming from the village to help the crash victims now assembling on the grounds around the crash site.

Next thing everyone looks around and they find they are aboard the “Ihatei” and they never left the initial forest landing when first came to Coventry. Seems they either just had a daydream or something. Horace and Kath’les say “It’s time we get out of here!” After a quick check it is decided to go to 1521 Fort William (C240467-A)/Ea Subsector/Reaver’s Deep and part of the Confederation of Duncinae. They jump!
7 days latter alarms sound for jump exit. Riley asks about hazard pay and Kath’les pays 30K Cr to Riley, 20K Cr to Taral and 20K Cr to Qeritz. They have arrived into the Fort William system. After getting clearance they head and land at the starport on planet. E-mails come in for Aiden and Horace. Aiden gets a e-mail that shows a hand with a red “88” on it and it waves. Horace’s e-mail says have 14 days left out of 30 and there is a 3-D black card of Ace of Spades.

Cleo asks if she could get a ride to this planet’s Bazaar after she checks the local index? Kath’les, Aiden and Horace to accompany. Meanwhile ship is fueled-up and made ready to go by Riley. Comms would be maintained to the shore party. Claw stays aboard and sends a coded outgoing message from ship. Horace and Aiden wear Ninja suits and take shotguns along with re-breathers on each.

The group arrives to the Bazaar and hires a wagon and 2 draft 8-legged lizards to haul back the treasure from the airraft which had to be parked outside the bazaar. They head into the Bazaar and notice a couple of groups watching them. Also seen are a few individuals turbaned and dressed in black, scimitars and tattoos on their checks; some kind of local bazaar police.

Moving through the Bazaar, Cleo guides them to a tent complex where there was to be a money exchange fellow. After Cleo discusses exchanging treasure for credit, they begin to haggle. An hour goes by and contact from ship finds all well. Cute serving gals take Aiden, Horace and Kath’les to sit on cushions and serve cakes, fruit and some sort of hot espresso. The gals get cozy with the 3 and are asked to retire to a back room of the tent. They do and each feels a prick blacking out.

After awhile all 3 awaken and find no weapons, comms gear or re-breathers. Each has a very attractive gal dressed in “I dream of Jenny” outfit wanting to be very intimate. 3 pairs of more muscular gals stand in background of the 30 foot by 30 foot room they are in. There can be seen a corridor going off to the east from the room. Horace heads out escorted by 2 muscular gals. Aiden follows after also with 2 gals and then Kath’les. The original 3 cuties cry after the 3 to come back.

Once in the hallway, each pair of escorting muscular gals proceed to attack their charge. Horace and Kath’les dispatch their pairs. Aiden dispatches one of his but the other KOs him.
After awakening, all 3 pairs have been defeated.

A quick check of the 30 foot hallway shows 3 rooms off to the sides, 2 north and 1 south. In each was an un-attired male space traveler drugged, exhausted and unconscious tied to bare tables. Past these was a larger 60 foot by 60 foot room with stone stairs in each of the corners heading up to a level above where a ledge could be seen with windows with sunlight streaming in from the north, west, south but a door on eastside. Corridors also head off at this level to north, east and south. Checking each corridors finds a repeat of the smaller 30 foot by 30 foot room and 3 rooms off corridors like they had come out of. They go back and secure the 6 muscular gals that had tried to defeat them. After this they go up and look through the north window and see sand dunes off close and further to the horizon.

It is afternoon seemingly somewhere on 1521 Fort William (C240467-A)/Ea Subsector/ Reaver’s Deep (day 155) or such.
_________________
kev the rolfs

[starhawk]

5/3/10 Week 45 (Day 155)

It is afternoon seemingly somewhere on 1521 Fort William (C240467-A)/Ea Subsector/ Reaver’s Deep (day 155) or such.

Horace (Chris G.), Kath’les (John R.) and Aiden (Aaron) continue to explore the 60 foot by 60 foot building ground floor they are on. It is found the windows have some sort of clear membrane that keeps the air in along with the sands out. They check the south and western windows seeing about the same, dunes undulating off into the distance. To the east is a door latched that leads into 30 long corridor with high windows toward the middle on the north and south sides. Some sort of * slave den-type place. From south window something silvery could be in the sky and it descended towards the ground, good chance spaceport to south.

Claw fearing something had happened to shore leave party since the boys had not checked in for 3 hours calls Cleo asking whats going on. Cleo tells him that the “Boys” were partying back at the Exchanger’s tent. Claw tells her that he can’t contact them and that she should go a drive back the airraft to the ship. Claw tells Taral to ready for recovery so he goes and gears up. Claw informs Riley that she is charge but ready as cavalry and Qeritz should have his Sick-Bay ready in case needed. Cleo arrives in the meantime and Claw and Taral leave with her trying to trace her’s and the other’s steps so they can be found.

The secured 6 muscular woman guards are checked and re-secured then all 3 head across the corridor and open eastern latched door opening into a 15 foot x 15 foot southwest room with a cot, desk, south membrane window and a open doorway north to another similar room. To the east is another open doorway to a 15 foot by 15 foot room with a table for 4. From there is a northeast room of similar dimensions with a library on bookshelves and membrane window to the east and a latched door to the west. The northwest 15 foot by 15 foot room has a membrane window on north wall, a east latched door to the northeast library room and finally a ladder up to the roof with a trap-door opening upwards.

From the northeast room’s window could be seen some 40 or so feet was another 30 foot by 30 foot building. Horace decides to go check what can be seen since he still had his nose filters in place that Taral gave him.. Horace slips out of the southwest membrane window and sees a ladder outside the southeast room’s wall going up to the roof. Horace looks around and then makes his way across to the 45 foot away smaller building that had a 20 foot open membrane front. After taking a look back and seeing no sentries anywhere atop or outside the building complex to the west but he does see a doorway on second level accessed from roof of the 30 foot by 30 foot building he left from and where Aiden and Kath’les were awaiting him. Additionally he could see a pointed domed tower about 20 foot in diameter going up some 25 feet. Horace then checks into the 30 foot by 30 foot barn seeing six 8-legged riding lizards along with saddles, reins with silver bells and some sort of dry plants lining their bins as well as being eaten by the beasts. Horace goes in grabbing a few hammers and tongs then heads back to join Aiden and Kath’les who have taken the bed and desk and block the doorway opening inwards from the west corridor to the southwest room. All arm up as best as they can and head up the northwest ladder to the roof.

Holding their breath and letting Horace lead, they make their across the corridor roof back to the west second floor of the 60 foot by 60 foot building. Horace opens the latched door and looks in seeing a 8 foot high entry area some 12 foot across and 20 foot long to a double doors. All 3 go in shutting the door behind them. Making their way across, Horace checks through the double doors and sees a 40 foot by 60 foot barracks with ten 4-tier level bunks laid out north to south in 4 rows. The north row has 3 bunks across, 2 rows with 2 bunks below this and finally a south row with 3 more bunks. At the bottom of each bunk on the west ends is a trunk where it would seem the guards keep gear and maybe personnel items. Sleeping is about 5 muscular gals and a couple more moving about. There seems to be a 20 foot by 20 foot kitchen in the southeast portion with 8 or so more woman guards within. To the northeast seemed a doorway that might possibly be a stairwell going up to the tower above.

Horace dons captured attire to appear like a clothed muscular woman guard and proceeds to enter the barracks and starts checking trunks finding a few open. He discovers and takes 2 clear membrane with copper filter masks for Kath’les and Aiden. After a close call from a guard hitting the sack, the 3 make their way to the northeast stairwell going 20 feet up to a water condenser but going no further seemingly. They go back down and see 2 gals leave out of the double doors. Waiting abit, our 3 intrepid escapees follow and go out to cross over the ground floor corridor. Fortunately the 2 gals use the roof ladder going down the north face of the adjacent smaller building heading to the barn where they saddle and leave on 2 lizard mounts.

Horace, Kath’les and Aiden head to the barn and saddle-up 2 lizards but decide not keep the bells on the reins fearing someone would hear them. 1 pair of bells is bundled up and placed into saddle bags. They ride some 5 miles to the south.

Cleo, Claw and Taral arrive near the bazaar and park the airraft and go in by foot to the Exchanger’s tent. Taral informs Claw that their friend’s comms gear is sending back a feedback signal he sent and it seems to be in the alley behind the Exchanger’s tent. They go and collect it finding none of the shotguns that the Shore Leave group had. Time to confront the Exchanger to see what is going gone or what happened. Cleo leads the way.

The Exchanger is lured back into his tent and 2 male guards are incapacitated by Taral while Claw questions the Exchanger through Cleo. Taral disappears out of the tent. Claw finds that weapons from his friends were pawned but could be recovered with a note he hands them. Turning hearing a commotion towards the tent’s rear and from a separate tent room comes Taral along with 4 very cute gals. Taral explains one gal is leader of the 4. Claw finds out that the Exchanger is just a servant under control of this woman and legitimately exchanges money but also is a front whereby the 4 women lure, drug, capturing male visitors to their world. Claw decides that the weapons would be gotten and does that along with Cleo and returns. Taral in the meantime stayed and was watching over things; having tied everyone up and placed them so as not to be easily observed by someone coming into the tent. The woman leader is forced to show what happened to their friends. She takes them out the back of the Exchanger’s tent to alleyway and leads them on thru several. Finally they arrive outside the bazaar to the north fringe of the startown where 3 lizard mounts are tethered. Each of the lizards has silver bells on their reins and these are removed and all mount with Taral handling the native woman. Cleo is with Claw towing the 3rd beast. They ride forth.

Horace, Kath’les and Aiden see movement in sand seemingly swimming in their direction. 1 from the north, 1 from the west and 2 from east. Popping out of the sand are 15 foot Sandsnakes which attack brandishing 2 long venom dripping fangs. The 3 are able to fend off the beasts without any injuries.

Claw, Cleo, Taral and their unwilling female guide ride north about 5 miles and see 2 riders atop a dune but there is also 6 separate movements in the sand coming their way. Surfacing are huge Sandsnakes which give battle but are no match to modern weapons like shotguns. The 2 riders atop the sand dunes turn and ride east. It turns out the silver bells some how keep Sandsnakes from approaching so they take them out and use.

Hearing shotgun blasts and seeing the 2 riders atop the sand dune to the south, Horace, Kath’les and Aiden head south cautiously. Arriving atop the now vacant dunes they see 2 dual mounted lizard mounts and a 3rd riderless heading their way. It is Claw, Taral and Cleo and some native gal. All ride-up and greet each other. Taral gives each some water. They head back and tie up the mounts and get aboard the airraft and head back to the “Ihatei”. The native gal is released and Cleo asks if she could have a ride off-planet not wanting to stay at their current vacationing spot. Horace and Kath’les agree.

Qeritz announces after checking the 3, that they are fit and only need hydrating from their desert. The group settle downs and starts figuring what to do next. It is 1900 Hrs back aboard the “Ihatei” on 1521 Fort William (C240467-A)/Ea Subsector/ Reaver’s Deep (Day 155).
_________________
kev the rolfs

[starhawk]

5/10/10 Week 46 (Day 155)

It is 1900 Hrs back aboard the “Ihatei” on 1521 Fort William (C240467-A)/Ea Subsector/ Reaver’s Deep (Day 155).

Horace (Chris G.), Kath’les (John R.) and Aiden (Aaron) decide they will go back to the * Slave Den and rescue fellow male Traveller’s from their fate. They will take Taral and leave Riley in charge with Qeritz and Cleo staying to guard the ship.

Riley asks “Whats going on now?” The answer is“Just be ready to cavalry to us should we need you.” “Your in charge till we get back to you.” Says Kath’les. “Oh Boy. More pay coming.” thinks Riley.

Horace and Kath’les hear over the internal ship’s comms “Please come to the bridge!”. It’s Taral and both are getting bothered at what next is going on.

Coming to the bridge they see a holographic layout of the bazaar with various tents and buildings shown along with markers: purple – male travelers, green – native luring females, red – native males, blue – native male guards, and yellow – female travelers. Both look at each other asking how is he doing this. The image changes showing a higher scale with starport and startown in center and triangles marking at the compass points various building clusters similar to what they experienced, more * Slave Dens at 19 to 20 mile ranges. After looking at the images at different scales they decide to gear-up and go make a raid. Finally Horace asks how Taral is doing this? Well I am using Duncan’s holographic device for the image, data from a Recon Drone stationed on a building near the bazaar for awhile now and data dumps from satellites in orbit. “Oh” say Horace and Kath’les.

Horace and Aiden wear Ninja Suits with shotguns. Kath’les wears flak-vest and Taral wears one of his gray suits and has a briefcase never seen before. Taral goes to Sick Bay talking to Qeritz and obtains a med-kit and 6 vials with clear fluid. He thanks Qeritz and heads to the waiting others.

All now head to the waiting airraft where Taral shows Kath’les and Horace how to run remote Recon Drone and missile launcher control. Taral also teaches Aiden how to use the on-board similar control. Taral also gives each a 10 shot 20 meter range stunner from his briefcase. Horace takes up the airarft controls to take them out heading towards the bazaar then around. Taral connects his briefcase to the airarfts computer with some sort of built-in laptop. Taral informs Horace that the SPA control tower of the starport is scanning them as they head off. Horace uses the standard traffic pattern so as to not attract attention. Taral asks if he wants their signal jammed. Aiden watches. Horace says “Do it!” Taral complies and the airraft departs the standard traffic flow and races out around the bazaar and then gets lost in alleyways and buildings as they make their way north northeast of the startown out into the desert. Taral has Aiden fly the Recon Drone from the bazaar north to revendouz with them. Taral tells Aiden to stop the drone for a second and then resume once images show 2 sand lizards moving in the night.

Taral informs Horace there is a sandstorm building and coming from the north northeast of their position. Horace takes the airraft NOE (Nap of the Earth) to north northeast about a couple of miles from their previous holding place. The plan is for Horace and Aiden to stealth in first then Kath’les would join then when cost is clear. Taral will stay aboard the airarft and feed intel from Recon Drones and come in to pick them up. Taral says “OK” sounding alittle sad at not going in also. Horace and Aiden head off while Taral sends both drones in from different directions. Kath’es has the airraft controls to move if necessary. The sandstorm arrives.

Horace and Aiden move towards the buildings and are alerted that there is a sentry on the 30 foot by 30 foot building from the main. There is a smoker on the roof of the 2-story 60 foot by 60 foot building. The 2 stealthed figures enter the membrane window on the northwest room of smaller building. Once in they hear 2 woman guards talking. One woman is reading at table in the southeast room and another is in northeast library room. Horace will go through the east latch door into library and stun the gal there while Aiden will stun the other gal at the table. They go but Horace is heard and the woman throws her book trying to knock his weapon away. Aiden is successful so turns to aid Horace in the library. Horace finally downs the other woman as she tries to close fro H2H. The unconscious women are positioned, 1 half through doorway between northwest room and southwest rooms doorway in hopes to catch attention of sentry on roof should she come down.

Taral tells Kath’les that sandstorm is here and obscuring everything. Might be best to park the airraft against north side of the buildings. He will re-position the drones so can see what is going on. One of drones shows Taral that the woman atop larger roof of 2nd floor is moving to go down a trap door and going down. Kath’les parks the airraft and exits to join-up with Horace and Aiden. Just as Kath’les goes through the north membrane window into the northwest room, Taral warns him that the sentry above is coming down. Kath’es readies. Trap-door opens and gal starts to climb down then sees fellow guard below. Kath’les grabs her feet and pulls causing her to fall and tumble. Horace moves up and KOs her.

Kath’les, Horace and Aiden now take the 3 unconscious guards with them as they head through the 30 foot corridor from this small building to the 60 foot by 60 foot building ground floor level. The woman are used to block the door they just came in. Below can be heard fun times between gals and male traveler to the west. There is also movement from the north and south corridors. Horace comes down and heads to south corridor looking in the 3 rooms adjoining south corridor to 30 foot by 30 foot fun room, Aiden covers his rear. Horace finds 3 drugged male travelers (2 humans and a Aslan). A guard gal exits the north corridor and attacks Aiden. Another runs past to go and attack Horace. Movement is heard coming from the east corridor by Kath’les above on the ground floor lip.

Horace turns back hearing the commotion with Aiden and fires a stun round into the guard running towards him. She is thrown back and out. Horace then hears 2 guards behind coming from the south so he turns and fires knocking them down with another stun round. Aiden stuns his gal while Kath’les leaps down knocking down 2 guards coming from the east.

Kath’les checks the rooms along the corridor east and finds a Zhodani and a strange blue earth elemental-like humanoid. They are released. Horace goes to west corridor heading where a human male was heard. As he enters he is attacked by 2 guard gals but is able to incapacitate them. The human male is released from the harpies.

3 more individuals are found in north adjacent rooms, 2 Solmani and a Aslan. All male prisoners or * slaves are given the De-Tox that Taral got from Qeritz before coming here.
As the Zhodoni mind clears he starts to mentally strike out at the 3 rescuers but Horace yells out we come to help save you. The mental attacks stop from the confused Zhodani. Taral is called and told to ready airraft to north window off the large 60 foot x 60 foot building at ground floor level. He does that.

The 9 male rescued prisoners are taken up stone stairs and through the membrane northern window into the airraft. Horace takes the controls and heads off to the north swinging around to head south back to the starport and waiting “Ihatei”. Taral is monitoring the sandstorm while Aiden is manning the Recon Drones seeing that the tower atop the 2-story building has 4 walls folded down from the domed tower reveling some sort of 2 manned heavy weapon trying to aim at the airraft. Aiden slams one of the Recon Drones into the weapon putting it out of control and loosing all in the sandstorm except the other Recon Drone which he successfully docks to the airraft.

After abit of wrestling with the sandstorm, Horace gets all back to the “Ihatei” safe with abit of paint removing on the airraft. Qeritz checks the repatriated male travelers and finds all better soon to be free of the drugs given them but all still very tired, used and abused. 5 of the individuals (Zhodani, Blue humanoid, 2x Solmani, and a human who tries to hit on Cleo) wish to leave trying to find their ships or passage on their own. All thank the “Ihatei” crew for their rescue except the blue humanoid who just leaves. Horace makes sure they all leave especially the Cleo hitter. The other 4 (Aslan cargo loader, Aslan turret trained, human cook been here 1 year, human engineer been here 30 days) grateful travelers wish to stay aboard and work their passage from this world.

It is 0100 Hrs back aboard the “Ihatei” on 1521 Fort William (C240467-A)/Ea Subsector/ Reaver’s Deep (Day 156).
_________________
kev the rolfs

[starhawk]

5/17/10 Week 47 (Day 156)

It is 0100 Hrs back aboard the “Ihatei” on 1521 Fort William (C240467-A)/Ea Subsector/ Reaver’s Deep (Day 156). 4 new rescued crew (Rufus: Aslan cargo loader, Shinny Cat: Aslan turret trained, Cookie: human cook been here 1 year, Gear: human engineer been here 30 days) that wished to stay aboard and work their passage from this world. Meanwhile Aiden (Arron) is baking in the Auto-Doc under the watchful eye of Qeritz in Sickbay. Taral is at watch on the Bridge. Riley is doing maintenance in engineering with new recruit Gear.

Horace (Chris) and Kath’les (John) decide to immediately jump to 1222 Leaa (E100488-9)/ Ea Subsector/ Reaver’s Deep. A ship is detected at 5K KM and appear to be faster coming after them. “Ihatei” runs for jump point but detects another ship. It is a small carrier with 6 funny box-shaped fighters dispersing and approaching to intercept. A mechanical voice comms ordering them to “Stand Down”. Of course they don’t and proceed to destroy the fighters and damage the gunboat. Unfortunately “Ihatei” is hit several times from torpedo blasts fired from the gunboat: the Drive once and Sensors once. Taral detects a signal coming from Cleo’s cabin and a black Pirate Corsair appears from behind nearest moon and proceeds to open fire at the Fort William’s vessels causing the gunboat to blow-up. The “Ihatei” continues while the Pirate Corsair just holds position. Final the Pirate jumps then “Ihatei” jumps.

During jump transition Taral informs Kath’les and Horace that Claw (David K.) is seemingly sleep-walking and has entered the ship’s kitchen freezer room and surprisingly found a case of “ratsnails” hidden there. The case is quickly taken from him and placed in air-lock to be jettisoned after jump exit. Riley and Gear work on temporary repairs and maintenance. Cookie is hired on as ship cook.

Jump Exit Alarms sound and the ship exists into the Leaa system. The “last” case of ratsnails is jettisoned. The ship makes way to the nearest gas giant, sensoring all fine then refuels purifying the fuel.

A new system is system is astrogated: 1020 Brighton (B6959AC-9)/ Ea Subsector/Reaver’s Deep and jump commenced.

Jump Exit Alarms sound again and ship exits into Brighton. The “Ihatei” is immediately hailed and brought to starport for refueling and repairs by 3 police cutters. Shinny Cat, Gear take their leave but not before being given 500 Cr for their help and troubles. Cleo also takes her leave but not before giving Horace a nice big juicy one. Temporary repairs are made and a course is astrogated for 0722 New Covenant (A5579DE-9)/ Kelar Subsector/Reaver’s Deep. “Ihatei” is escorted out to jump point where she then jumps.

Jump Exit Alarms go off and the “Ihatei” exits into one of it’s homes: New Covenant. Immediately they are “Hailed and welcome!” back. The “Ihatei” lands at the planet starport and accommodations are made to make repairs. A general e-mail comes in “Welcome back from the Prophet.” Aiden has 2 e-mails: 1 from Mom saying she missed him and would like to hear of his travels, please contact me urgently. The other is from “88” saying there is now a 10M Cr bounty on him “ALIVE”. Claw also has e-mail saying “I miss ya and want to hear of travels.” Horace has 2 e-mails: 1 saying “A clone is here.” from Gerry’s Bounty’s & Bonds as is the other about operative dead and office closed on Janet but “88” and 2 clones there spending lots of credits. Kath’les gets a message that Barisa wants to talk to him saying Keo has been arrested and imprisoned on evidence of him conspiring against Khaukheairl Huiha (clan) and possibly against the Htoifteirlakht (Aslan Hierate). He is to be extradited soon.

Kath’les, Horace decide to head to the Aslan Enclave south of “The Run”. Claw will go. The 2 other Aslans: Rufus and Shinny Cat want to go along. Horace holds up things saying he needs to make a call. Horace calls and makes an appointment to see The Prophet at 1600 tomorrow. They leave heading to the Aslan Enclave aboard the airraft. Everyone else stays aboard.

It is 1700 Hrs back on 0722 New Covenant/ Kelar Subsector/Reaver’s Deep (Day 177).
_________________
kev the rolfs

[starhawk]

5/24/10 Week 48 (Day 177)

It is 1700 Hrs back on 0722 New Covenant/ Kelar Subsector/Reaver’s Deep (Day 177). Kath’les (Jon) pays the crew: Qeritz 6K Cr, Riley 10K Cr, Taral 5K Cr and newest Cookie 6K Cr.
Rufus and Shinny Cat are each given 500 Cr for their efforts and troubles.

Riley has estimated repairs at around 15 hours and 26.2M Cr cost.

Kath’les, Claw (David), Taral, Rufus and Shinny Cat are headed to the Aslan Enclave aboard the airraft. Horace (Chris) decides not to go and stay aboard the ship. They take an easterly way around “The Run” and arrive. The Aslan Enclave has grown considerable since last they had seen it. Now some 1000 Asaln, several buildings and a small 4 ship starport where an Aslan courier is now berthed. They head over to the townhall where presumably Baresa’s office would be.

The airraft is parked and good-byes as well as best-if-luck are said to Rufus and Shinny Cat. All daley a moment taking in the Aslan sights reminding each of some home long ago. The 3 (Kath’les, Claw and Taral) go into townhall and up to Baresa’s office and go in. Within they are greeted by Tarsha, a female administrative assistant to Baresa. She offers them REAL Aslan food and drink and then has them wait while see goes to check with Baresa. Before they can really get started, Baresa appears greeting Kath’les warmly with Tarsha in tow. Barisa invites Kath’les into her office having the other 2 wait. She commences asking how he is and what he has been up to as of late? After awhile and pleasantries down, Baresa talks of distasteful happens regarding Keo, previously the Aewar, Tao and Lakht of Ekhano/Ahriy New Covenant for Khaukheairl Huiha (Clan).

Baresa tells Kath’les that Keo is to be extradited by Khaukheairl Huiha Internal Security in 2 to 4 weeks. He is currently incarcerated by law at their local prison here at the Aslan Enclave. His alleged crimes are sedition and acts of treason against the Clan and Ko (Kath’les’ father Dalagnarko, Fouheh of Khaukheairl Huiha). He is alleged member of a VFW group of 1000 known as the “Bashers” and a political group that supports equality for the IHATEI (sort of grass roots political labor movement). Kath’les asks if he can go and see Keo personally? She sez sure and writes-up a permission slip to be given to warden of the prison. Kath’les wishes her well and he will be in touch and leaves.

The 3 walk to the prison now around 1800 early evening. Kath’les surprises the warden of the prison with his person and writ from Bresa. He is taken into the layered defense prison and shown to his old bodyguard’s (Eoarlyaki) cell. Kath’les talks to Keo seeing how he fares and to let him know they are working to free him. Kath’les asks him if he knows what is going on. Keo says he believes it is X-chancellor Tlaukhu up to his old tricks again. Keo tells Kath’les he misses the simple runs in “The Run” and longs for such again. Kath’les tells Keo that will get him out of here but have to leave for now. “See you on the morrow my Friend!” says Kath’les to Keo. They clasp paws and Kath’les leaves.

The 3 board their airraft and head back to the “Ihatei” for the night. Next day little else goes on except repairs to the ship. At 1600 Horace heads to talk to The Prophet Omarus the Magnificent.

Claw sends a message requesting info on Janet and asks if any aid can be obtained to help Keo? Kath’les has a message from his father asking how he is doing and what of his exploits? Cleo has sent a message to Horace asking if he is well and if she could see him. She has landed at New Covenant aboard “The Butterfly” and wants to personally thank him for his help and kindnesses.

Horace arrives at the large single white story open doored home of The Prophet. He passes the fountain out front and knocks before entering. A voice calls “Come in Horace!”. A 4-armed green native in loose white robes comes and greets Horace with a hug. “How are you and All of The Choosen?” Horace returns pleasantries and then gets down to business telling The Prophet of the goings-on with regards to Keo. The Prophet says he will help and sends Horace back to the “Ihatei” where he is meet by same Inspector/Apostle that encountered numerous times before on New Covenant. He will accompany Horace and Kath’les to collect Keo from prison.

Horace, Kath’les, Claw, Taral and Inspector/Apostle take their airraft back to the Aslan Enclave. While inbound Kath’les alerts Baresa that they come to free Keo. She says “Wow that’s something? Ok meet you at the prison.”

They arrive and go up to the prison and after talking to Baresa and the Warden with the Inspector/Apostle, Keo is given into Horace’s legal stewardship. He is now responsible for Keo.
They all go to leave when time slows down and a slow but noticeable Taral goes and pushes Kath’les to cover while a normal moving Inspector/Apostle moves Horace and Keo from path of large 10cm laser strike. Instantly there is a flash in front of their eyes as the Inspector/Apostle points to empty ground just in front. Appearing from thin air is a whithering slightly recognized yakh’le (assassin), the strange individual that succeeded in almost killing Xsaleen back in “The Run”. He is taken off into the prison by security. The group boards the airraft and make it back to the “Ihatei”.

Keo goes and talks to Qeritz for about 40 minutes and then is shown his cabin by Kath’les. He goes and rests.

Horace goes and talks to Cleo. She gives him for crew and himself 2M Cr saying that is what she has left from here earnings that she needed to get back her scout “The Butterfly” from the Shadow Syndicate. They talk about lots of things and then bring-up Janet and needing something to take to Janet. “Well I might be able to help you. I know where something was taken from the Stellar Daggers, a TL14 15t Meason Bay Weapon! See you in 2 weeks at Asden. That is where I can get it to you.” They spend the night at the tavern.

Horace heads back and is 0800 Hrs back on 0722 New Covenant/ Kelar Subsector/Reaver’s Deep (Day 180).
_________________
kev the rolfs

[starhawk]

6/7/10 Week 48 (Day 180)

0800 Hrs back on 0722 New Covenant/ Kelar Subsector/Reaver’s Deep (Day 180).

Aiden receives 2 e-mails: 1 from Ginger back at Asden’s Heaven asking how he is doing and if going to be heading her way anytime soon? The 2nd is from IISS scout asking to see him at the Freckled Reptile Tavern, 1 of several (3x taverns, 4x restaurants, 3x bachelor apartments) at the New Covenant starport. The Freckled Reptile Tavern is on the west-south-west edge of starport and Startown and north wall of “The Run”.

Aiden decides to debark and head to the Freckled Reptile Tavern but before he does he lets Taral, who is on the bridge, before he goes. Aiden catches a cab and arrives being greeted by waitress who gives him a note saying he needs to go up to room 301. Aiden asks if she saw anything and she replies “ Well he took several boxes up”. Aiden heads up and knocks and is told to enter.

As Aiden enters the dark room, the IISC scout has his back to him and is at a control. Hanging in the air is a holographic map of an unknown planet. There is a red ring on what seems to be ground along with yellow dots. Aiden is told to touch the red line on the hologram. Aiden does such then the scout turns yelling out!

Aiden awakens shackled with hand-cuffs and chain in middle about a foot and half going down to each ankle and tussled in back of a ground vehicle, perhaps an air-cushion vehicle. Aiden sees that the driver is “88”; aka Sabastine Clomer. They arrive to what seems the ocean from the sound of it and this is confirmed when Aiden is pulled out of the vehicle onto sand then dragged up a dilapidated shack and placed on a pressure pad in the center of the hut where 8 separate bundles of small wires go out at all compass points to stacks of explosives and jet fuel. “88” goes and pushes a remote control then sits down on the floor and pulls out a box of wooden matches and starts building a miniature structure out of matches. He then starts singing to himself and looking at a match. Aiden moves but “88” seems withdrawn into himself and is ignoring Aiden.

Taral calls Kath’les and Horace to the bridge and says Aiden’s comms is gone and he does not respond. They ask Taral where Aiden went and he tells them what he knows and the time. While they discuss the situation, Taral goes and gets Qeritz and has him tell about the one-shot transponder that each crew member was injected with. Qeritz does so and they order Taral to activate Aiden’s. As all of this is going on a pretty pixie-like nymph sticks her head into the bridge asking where Aiden is? It is Riley the engineer. A beeping can be heard in the background along with a red dot appearing on a New Covenant map.

Kath’les and Horace immediately get gear together and ready the airraft. Kath’les is wearing heavy ceremonial combat armor along with his gravity lance. Qeritz comes running giving them a portable medical kit. Horace calls SPA asking for immediate clearance as they will be going full throttle racing to the west ocean on the farside of “The Run”.

As Horace comes into the area he lowers their altitude when a fire-control radar locks onto them; missiles can be seen streaking their way. They are hit lightly and Horace maintains control. Flying a spiral pattern 5 more egg launchers are found. Horace flies lower and smashes one of the egg-shaped launchers as missiles close from different directions. Horace starts fancy flying and is able to move ajar letting missile hit another launcher. A laser shot appears near the window where Horace is piloting. “looks like we have a sniper!”

Horace does another fancy maneuver with incoming missiles and lunges at the sniper that Kath’les has spotted. The airraft bounces off a sand dune with missiles piling in exploding where the sniper was. Horace next spins off towards the ocean where with just abot of luck something is seen in the water at the last moment; its another egg launcher camouflaged out bouncing in the ocean. It fires!

Horace tries to avoid the missile but it hits and they go down landing near the airraft. Another missile just misses them but hits near the air cushion vehicle destroying it. The airraft has received drive and power plant damage. Kath’les and Horace exit and look around. Kath’les is hit several times by incoming laser fire but with his heavy combat armor, no damage. Kath’les charges after the sniper and gravity lances him. They turn back to head to the shack seeing the path to it is circuitous. Why?

Aiden has managed to open his hand-cuffs. He looks at “88” who is now lighting matches and looking at his little hut of matches. Each of the matches go out burning his hands but he seems not to notice. Aiden studies the pressure pad, wires, explosives and fuel trying to figure what kind of fix he is in. Aiden decides to undo the ankle bracelets then tosses the whole chain like a bolo at “88”. He succeeds knocking him out!

Out on the beach Horace and Kath’les look around carefully seeing that there are land mines all around the hut except the crocked path. They run following it and arrive on the porch of the shack. They go in seeing Aiden on green pressure pad and “88” lying out. Horace goes and grabs “88” and proceeds to wake him up and interrogates him but finds he has gone totally nuts. Horace grabs “88” and orders Kath’les to get sand and bring it in so they can try and exchange the right amount with Aiden. They ready all and succeed! But then hear a beeping and see clocks running in countdown. They run at top speed with Kath’les carrying Aiden like a baby in his powered combat armor. A massive explosion knocks all off their feet.

They board their damaged airraft and staying low head back to the “Ihatei” where Qeritz checks Aiden as does Riley.

It is 1700 Hrs on 0722 New Covenant/ Kelar Subsector/Reaver’s Deep (Day 180) aboard “Ihatei”.
_________________
kev the rolfs