Chapter 5: Shut Down

Obligation: 83 (No Trigger)

Destiny Pool:

Place: Deep Space near Palbed

Xyla's commandeering of the communications array caused enough chaos that the Cheery Butler was able to slip away from Waloviska Superior without drawing any attention to itself. DX31 set a return course for Garoute, eager to be away from such dangerous turmoil, and also eager to delve into how xe had been fooled by the counterfeit delivery manifest.

Half way into their trip, T1-NY found himself in the starboard workroom, examining his newly acquired, albeit broken, rocket boots. Barrett was in the galley, preparing himself and Le'ela another meal. Though no one had seen her since she disappeared into her room, the dishes he left for her always disappeared. So, he continued to prepare them.

Distracted by his investigation, DX31 hadn't picked up on the comet field above them that was hurtling downwards towards their heads. The first collision took everyone aboard the Cheery Butler by surprise.

The first comet glanced off the upper starboard hull, scarring the side of the ship nearest the workroom there before bouncing off the turbo-grav lift. Another comet smashes the port side and embeds itself outside of the pantry, causing no small about of turbulence to the shelving system. It's a good thing Barrett never bothered to organise it. The final comet ricocheted off the port side by the galley, damaging some of the appliances therein, and threatening to breach the hull entirely.

The Cheery Butler is heavily damaged, but not critically yet. One engine damaged and the ship now shimmies as it attempts to dance around the remaining comets, going increasingly off course.

---

Jumping-off points:

* How does this make your character feel?

* Have they ever experienced anything like this before?

* How do they respond? What is most important to them?

* What does their coordination check tell us about them?

Barrett havers through the galley and up the stairs to his room, as DX31 attempts to weave through the storm. He stands in the threshold to his room as the door slowly slides open. He glances to the right and sees Le'ela's closed door, before dashing into his room and grabbing his credits. Le'ela is still on his mind as he exits his room. I'll just ready a couple of escape pods, then I'll come back for her. I'll just prep them, and then I'll come back for her, he reassures himself.

Destiny Point Flip

Destiny pool:

He reaches the starboard bank of pods. He smashes the red “Prep” button by the first. The light on the panel illuminates red. Alarmed, Barrett peers inside the window. There's no pod in this bay. He goes to the next one and hits that button. It also lights up red. Same with the third one. Cursing out loud, he runs to the Port pods, but to no avail. There are only red lights and empty bays. “Where the frak are the escape pods?” Barrett wonders aloud.

DX31's modulation pipes up over the inter-ship intercom. “We seem to be beset by a sudden comet storm. Nothing to be too-” -sudden ship lurch- “concerned about. There appears to be a hospitable moon nearby we could, uhhh… stop on. Perhaps we could-” -lurch followed by a barrel roll- “assess our current circumstances from there. I'm a little preoccupied with, uhhh-” lurch left then back to the right- “EVASIVE MANEUVERS right now to plot a course there. Or if someone wanted to use the laser cannons to clear a path, we might be able to make a… smoother landing.”

Within the databanks, DX31 appears on a vid display. “We have an opening! Let's execute your course right now!” A hatch in the ceiling opens above T1-NY and a thick cable snakes down, plugging into the array he was using for navigating. It connects, and data begins to flow upwards to the rest of the ship.

DX31 dodges the final comet just as T1-NY's course is activated. The Cheery Butler pitches upwards a few degrees before it starts to accelerate. The entire ships vibrates in an increasingly violent manner as it picks up speed. Barrett squeezes his eyes shut, gripping the chair straps, his purple knuckles turning white. T1-NY regards the workshop, it's tools scattered about, flying around the room, crashing into each other. { { So much for finely tuned adjustments. Those tools aren't going to fix anything as much as they're going to need some fixing. } }

Then, when it seemed like the shaking would certainly tear the ship apart, it stopped.

The Cheery Butler made a terrific splash when it crashed into the fluid surface of the moon. It's angle of descent was just shallow enough that they skipped along the surface for some time creating huge waves in their wake.

Eventually their forward momentum did abate, and they were left to float and spin on the red, liquid surface under a darkening blue sky. No matter how much the ship spun, the view was all the same. Red and blue. Blue and red. As far as the eye could see.

T1-NY access the partial ground scan logs from right before the crash. It shows that the ship had passed over some extent of land shortly before touching down. () Some vegetation was picked up, as well as some rocky cliffs. () Then when passing over the water, another small, indeterminate blip. ()

Barrett is able to find the following entry:

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Tragen is the second largest moon of Palbed. It is naturally semi-habitable, and terraforming has since increased its ability to sustain organic life. 72% of its surface is covered in liquid that is 38% less dense than water, though similar in most every regard. ()

Most colonies on Palbed are Klangen-based, preferring to live their lives and advance their technology without the use of circuitry. As such, they have developed numerous ways to harness the ecological resources around them. ()

This curious set of circumstances has led to epidemic-level piracy and sea monsters. ( )

---

The next couple days pass uneventfully. T1-NY does what he can to mend the damaged hull, but without proper tools or supplies, his efforts are limited. Barrett, meanwhile, filled his time with some well-deserved relaxation - mainly enjoying the sunshine and the peaceful waves lapping against the ship's hull. He set up a recliner and read through his collection of psychology books he had borrowed from the University. The fresh air “on deck” was quite enjoyable.

Bright and early on the third day, a blip appeared on their horizon. It moved across the water in a manner like a ship (as opposed to a sea monster). It traveled on a true line, seemingly ready to pass by the Cheery Butler. Then after 30 minutes or so, it changed bearing and began moving straight towards the beleaguered ship.

When it was within scanning range, DX31 surmised that it was some type or barge, probably crewed by about 20 folks or so. Steam powered, as evidenced by the trail of vapor following it.

The local vessel stopped when within hailing distance, and the comm crackled. “This is Exo-corp 5-9-2, requesting status.”

The comm was silent for a full minute. Then, “UTS-Branded Cheery Butler, this is Exo-Corp. Welcome to Palbed. Looks like you've already met our local comet field. How may we be of service?”

The Exo-corp barge had already begun tugging towards them. “Oh, yeah. That witchcraft,” the voice on the comm responded. “Whenever someone ends up here with those kinds of troubles, we always bring 'em to the same place. Magraw will get you fixed up, good as new.”

Within an hour, the barge had docked next to the Cheery Butler and secured its tow line to the ship, and began the process of hauling the craft eastward. The crew of the barge seemed to be primarily Nautolans, who eyed Barrett with more curiosity than T1-NY. The Exo-corp captain boarded the ship and introduced himself to Barrett, his tentacles actively sensing the atmosphere around him.

One hour later, land appeared on the horizon. Two hours after that, the Cheery Butler was being moored in a shipyard filled with a vast assortment or other crafts, all in various stages of repair or disrepair. A handful of workers could be seen on the premises, disassembling or reconstructing ships. Even some basic robots booped and fizzled around, running simple routines to help the sentient species in their work.

“Well, this is where I leave you,” the Nautolan captain said as his crew worked to unhitch the butler. He, Barrett and T1-NY were outside, standing on the nose of the ship.

Barrett patted his pockets. “Do we owe you something for the help?” he asked, uncertain of what was customary.

“Oh, don't worry about that. I'll get a cut from whatever you pay Magraw, like usual. So, if you really want to show your appreciation,” he leaned in conspiratorially, “then go big.” He slapped Barrett on the back good-naturedly, then oversaw the final preparations for their departure.

“Well, lookee what we have here!” They both turned to see a Mon Calamari standing behind them. She leaned heavily on a cane and she held up spectometers to her eyes as she looked about the ship. She wore an apron with many pocket and all the pockets were filled with many tools. “That comet field is a nuisance, but it sure does keep me busy!” Her eyes picked up on something near her feet, and she carefully stooped down with tool in hand, and adjusted a panel that had come loose.

She then straightened and regarded both Barrett and T1-NY. “How's that red turbo-grav lift working out? I was worried that it might be a little under-powered for the ship, but it was the best I had available. Looks like the other one is gone conked out now too. I'll look around and see if I still have the mate to the one I put on last time. A matching set will make the Butler look much more cheery.”

She shoved a workorder at Barrett. “I told that bucket of bolts to be careful of the comet field whenever travelling in these parts, but good advice is never heeded. You fill out this paperwork with the work you need done, and I'll go give DX25 another lecture. Where is that droid hiding?”

Magraw disappeared inside the ship resurfaced 20 minutes later, still hobbling on her cane. “Welp, no sign of that droid in there. Now did you two do something to DX25 that you want to tell me about? Hmmm?”

Magraw's eyes bulge a bit. “That's quite the turn of events! I don't know much about the Butler or her crew. She came a tumbling down here a couple years ago, much the same problem as now. DX25 was running a small crew then too. About 3 others on board. Friendly enough folks, I suppose. Nothing very remarkable about them, now that I think back on it. I recall they seemed a mite nervous. Hands itching towards blasters and whatnot. Like they didn't know what to expect round here. Anyways, we tended to them, got them patched up and running again. DX25 was adamant that we keep the repairs off the books, though. Sounded like he wanted to keep the stopover here hush-hush. But the UDTS Buck$ were good, so I didn't make a fuss. Just took 'em at face value and sent them on their way. I told them all to watch out for that comet field when their in the area though. But, I guess good advice is never heeded.”

“I hear what you're saying about the upgrade to the entertainment facilities onboard. I'll send some bots to scrounge around and see what we can find that'll fit what you're looking for. Won't be new, but it'll be nice.”

“Escape pods, you say?” Magraw says, reaching back into her memories. “Seems the last crew was titchy about them too, if I recall right. Never seen a ship go through so many pods before. Well, we'll see what we can turn up.” She takes the datapad from the duo and looks it over. “That's a tall list, but we've had a few extra wrecks sitting around that I'd really love to move out. Maybe I can scrape a bit more off those old bones before putting them to rest in the yard. Best make yourself comfortable, though. This could take up to a week.”

Magraw gets you access to a speederbike with sidecar and directions to the nearby town, about a 5 minute drive, as well as a reputable inn and some local sites to see.

Barrett follows the coast road south and finds the town easily. They circumnavigate it within 30 minutes and find it's not quite the backwater Podunk they feared at first. Where there are no droids anywhere nor anything to suggest circuitry used anywhere, there is a sophistication present that is all its own. Lots of steam power and other alternatives to electricity.

Magraw was puzzled by Barrett's search for ink and paper, but gave him a couple suggestions. There was a general store near the wharf, an artist's supply store near the center of town, and a “Specialty Store” in the north end near the river. They find that the wharf is dirty but friendly, the Center of town is busy with many Nautolans peering at the two as the buzzed around. The North end is dark and quiet.

You notice a shady Nautolan in an alley, and she points you towards the same “specialty store” that Mcgraw mentioned, which happens to be two streets over. The wooden sign hanging over the door say “Specialty Store” and is carved into the shape of a specialty.

You enter and a mangy Bothan immediately starts and then tries to act casual, as though you had caught him in the act on something. His one eye is scarred over and his suit is moth eaten. Another dubious Bothan leans casually against a counter. They both watch you intently, plastic smiles glued to their faces.

The small shop walls are lined with shelves. The shelves are filled with various canned goods. Upon closer examination, one would notice that they are all past their prime. Apparently stock does not move very fast here.

If asked about “specialty art supplies” and mentioning Mcgraw, the mangy Bothan would disappear into a back room, leaving you both under the watchful eye of what can be assumed is his brother. He would return a couple minutes later with a blood splattered leather case, the insides carrying everything Barrett needs for “art projects”.

Barrett attempts to look suave, and sophisticated, adopting a “I could never pay a price like that” attitude. His enlarged pupils gave him away though, and the Bothan started to pack the kit up. Barrett stammered and said he'd pay full price. A wolfish grin spread across the dealer's face, and they shook hands.

Later, when examining the kit more closely, Barrett will find a small baggie tucked into the lining of the case. Inside the bag are 3 metal foils that can be applied to documents. They look very official and when applied will add to any deception check made with them. (Very sticky. Non-reuseable.)

The next day, when checking in on the Butler, Magraw mentions that the comms unit was hailed the day prior from a near-by town. “Someone by the name of Leelah was trying to get a hold of you. Says her escape pod landed near a community of Caamasi and she's going to spend some time there with them. Try to make some sense of herself again, and that she'll catch up to you when she can.” Magraw shrugged and returned to her ledgerbook.

An uneventful week later, the Butler is ready to go again. Magraw waves cheerily as you depart, shouting warnings about the comet field. The ship feels a bit underpowered now, but the ride is smooth. The new entertainment lounge and workroom are well appointed. Though clearly not new, they are a vast improvement over what the ship boasted prior. Barrett surreptitiously checked on the escape pods and found them to be in prime working order, and fully stocked.

Time to get off this backwards moon and back to some real business!