Everyone gets themselves organized and discusses next steps.

Bartja is able to find out the following about the scout ship:

Most of the data files are incomprehensible because they have been coded and firewalled. They will need to be examined by experts in the Frontier Worlds. However, he is able to decipher some of the data and screen displays:

1. The ship's log indicates a series of visits to several local star systems. All of these flights originate and terminate at the same distance from the central star of the FS 30 system five light minutes from Mahg Mar.

Those who were on Dentin's ship note that this is the approximate distance they were away from Mahg Mar when their ship was attacked, so this appears to give coordinates to the mothership.

2. The radio log indicates strict radio silence except for one transmission which is broadcast to a point which you pinpoint as one hex southwest of the point marked "center" on the Mahg Mar terrain map above.

3. The astrogation log records the star route from the FS 30 system to Mahg Mar with a stop at the same location five light minutes from Mahg Mar.

THE FLIGHT AND OPERATING SYSTEMS

No ship like this has been encountered before. It is apparently of recent construction and advanced design. The following specific information is particularly significant:

1. The drives and astrogation systems are built on principles similar to the latest Frontier Worlds designs. It should be possible to operate the scoutship with a UPF crew even for a journey outside the planet atmosphere.
2. All systems appear to be operational. The engines have been recently overhauled and the ship appears to be ready for action.
3. Drive, astrogation, engineering, and maneuver programs suggest a high level of automation of routine operational tasks.
4. The controls are designed to accommodate operators of varied races with different manipulative limbs and senses.
5. The absence of ship's weapons and the high acceleration capability are atypical of known Sathar craft. Sathar apparently can withstand accelerations of up to six gravities for an indeterminate period.

SATHAR SCOUT DESIGN

This is a special design that balances its unusual abilities (superior maneuver and acceleration) with distinctive liabilities (no armament and weak hull).
The Sathar scout ship is unarmed but maneuverable and capable of high acceleration and maneuvering. A scoutship carries a crew of four Sathar, plus robots. Scoutships are capable of atmospheric flight and can land or take off from shore or underwater.

You determine that the ship could be modified to hold up to 8 passengers if you have about 3 days to make modifications.

Length: 40m
Width: 10m
Hull Size: 3
Hull Points: 10*
Wing Span: 50m
Hatches: 1
MR: 5
ADF: 6
DCR: 29
Engines: 2 A-rated Atomics
Fuel: 1 loaded, 1 in reserve
Weapons: None
Defenses: reflective hull
Life Support: main and backup—capacity 6
Communications: videcom, subspace radio
Detection: radar
Computer Programs:
-Computer Security Alarm
-Installation Security Astrogation
-Computer Lockout Life Support
-Damage Control Atomic Drive
-Information
-Storage Robot Management

* Hull Section structural points only 100 +2d100
All security, alarm, and computer lock systems are at Level 3.

Other Discoveries:

You find that you are currently unable to crack the tablet but can take it with you in case something helps you crack its password later.

You are able to open the safe (msg 64) that was in the Scout Ship, where you find a charger that can help you charge the tablet.

You also find the following in the safe:
-10 EMP Grenades (will affect electronics, some security, screens and suits (so don't get within its radius), some gear, and some robots) (5 meter radius)
-2 EMP Pulse Pistols (can be aimed at electronic equipment for taking out only desired objects) (10 charges each, affects 1 meter radius)
-Small Spider 3 robot (0.5 meters, retracts into compact form for transport, can be programmed to fire small laser at designated target (2d10, 20 shots; 50 to hit); 20 Structural points.
-1 vibroknife with lightning charge (acts as normal vibroknife but can shoot electical charge (lightning) for 3d10 dmg with pull of trigger--can be combined with melee or used as ranged attack (treat as spear or thrown object).
-A datastick which will take a few days to decipher. The label on it in Sathar is a pronunciation equivalent to "Qantariate"


Everyone is able to use the recombinant regeneration tube (RRT) (see http://wiki.rpol.net/?id=6687/NEW%20EQUIPMENT ) to be fully healed and ready for action the following morning.

In response to Desi's questions, Dr. Appleburg confirms that the point indicated by the communication (one hex southwest of the center on the map) does appear to be the accurate location of the Sathar base. He was drugged and subject to the mind control chip during most of the time, so he remembers very little. However, it is a very secure facility with Sathar, robots, and security. Anything mechanical within the perimeter of the main circle above the treeline is likely to be detected long before it arrives at the base. He suggests that the party either go from the circled perimeter to the base on foot or other small transport with as little power as possible.

NOTE: For game purposes, if you take an explorer, aircar, etc., there will be a chance per hex that you are discovered, and that chance is exponentially higher if you fly above the treeline.

Dr. Appleburg also suggests that there are likely others being held captive as well, most likely for their expertise to help with the Qantariate issue, though he cannot vouch for what state they will be in.

OOC: Anything else you want to do or should we advance this to the next morning, get your team ready and geared up?
-

OOC- Vadim has no experience or does not know what he's getting into with the Qantariates, so he'll take any equipment/weaponry that is suggested.

orvo will take an EMP grenade and vibroknife, which he actually has a skill in. His doctor training has somewhat given him skills in using blades that extends beyond just a scalpel. He suggests Bartja might want to try his hand at the spider robot.

Orvo can also take the tablet and charger in his backpack for future use. He is working on his technical skills (using XP to gain a computer skill).

"I think we now know very close to where the Captain and others are being held. We can take an aircar in close and hump it from there. Don't they also have glijets? If they can get us in undetected, then maybe we can get in without interacting with the dangerous fauna. Maybe the scout ship could be used to get us right into a docking bay without suspicion, but that could be risky." He weighs the options.

Gregor will take one of the EMP pistols and a couple of the grenades as well. "Im with Orvo. The glijets might provide us a reduced profile to get an aerial view of the location if we could get them within range."

Looking the pistol over closely. "Any thoughts on how we recharge these things?"

Bartja does indeed take the Spider Robot and muses over some of the other gadgetry discovered by the scouts.

"The glijets might prove useful, but if the Sathar can spot an aircar or our scout robots, then they'll also spot the glijets.  I suspect they have a radar system installed, although a glijet isn't metallic and could possibly slip in undetected.  However, we have only two of them so it I would suggest using them only for scouting - and even then, use only sparingly.

I like the idea of taking the Sathar scout ship right in.  It does cause me to wonder why the ship is beneath the river instead of hangared at the Sathar base.  It would take us about three days to retrofit it for all of us and it seems we don't have that much time.  We'll need it to find that Sathar mother ship later, I suspect.

This leaves us with the aircar, glijets, and explorer.  Of those, we have the best chance of getting in with the explorer in my opinion.  If it fails, we'll have to try on foot."

Bartja attaches two EMP grenades to his belt and hands the Spider 3 bot to Shemp (to be carried).

"We should bring the glijets for scouting when we get close.  Chances of reaching the camp without being detected seem slim so I recommend we bring the firepower and explorer to give us the best chance of repelling an attack."

OOC: The EMP weapons do not recharge with SEU. They are a "one and done" device since they use Sathar technology. Equivalent devices can later be purchased or obtained through military outlets in the Frontier.

"The ship might give us the best advantage on getting us close once we decide to go in but, I don't think we have three days to wait.

We could use the glijets as scouts and assault with the explorer and or, the air car.  We take all gear necessary for an extraction of ALL of the prisoners this way we don't have to circle back and lose time.

We keep the scout ship as back up, last resort."

Desiraye takes three [3] of the grenades and the other EMP pistol.  "I've got plenty of guns so, if one of you want the pistol or grenades, speak now!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:27, Sat 16 Oct 2021.

Vadim nods, "One thing to remember is unless the prisoners are incapacitated they could fight as well so we might want to bring a few spare weapons as well.  Other than that I don't think we should even use the glijets to scout.  The Sathar likely know we're out here somewhere but they don't know when or where we'll attack."  He shrugs, "Start flying glijets over a site and they'll have a pretty good idea that we're coming.  I think we should go for as much stealth as possible using IR goggles and jammers rather than charging right in."

OOC
Vadim takes a laser rifle, IR Goggles and Jammer, 8 more power clips, 3 solvaway, 2 tangler grenades, 2 doze, 4 frags, 2 smoke and magnigoggles.

He also takes 2 automatic pistols and 10 bullet clips and puts them in a military backpack for spare weaponry.

As far as extraction, I don't think the Sathar have a full military complex on planet given their presence so far so I'd go with best practice is to wipe out the Sathar in the area and then bring up the aircar latter after it's clear.

"Captain, it would seem to me that if we could get closer say within a few kilometers, establish a rally point and a base camp. Then do a long distance recon followed by a close recon to refine what we know. If you get me close I can do these things without being detected."

"Perhaps have a small group standing by with the aircar to do an extraction if it becomes necessary. I can do it. Just get me close and we will know better what we are dealing with."

"So, you're saying that you can get that close Gregor?"

"I can." The Dralasite says matter of factly.

Desiraye looks around to see if there are any objections.  If none, "OK Gregor, you're our guy!  We'll be standing by waiting for your signal to advance and assault.  If you need anything, grab it first."

"Agreed.  If anyone has anything else?  Let's get to prepping for tha assault.  No concern for less than lethal stuff against the Sathar unless, they have non-Sathar agents we can capture.  We all know how the worms operate by now."

OOC:  I was thinking about using the air cars and holding the explorer in reserve for extraction and or as a support vehicle.  Weapon options or medevac.

"As we are all getting ready Id like to hear from everyone what their thoughts are already about what each of us knows or guesses from what we know about their activities in the system already." Gregor checks the power status of all his gear and runs a system diagnostic on his helmet.

"I just dont know what to make of a bug scout ship hidden on the planet. Do we have another faction of the bugs working against the ones already in system?"

"My thought on the facility is this.  From what Dr. Appleburg was able to tell us, this is some kind of research facility on an out of the way world.  God knows what they're working on or who they working with.  Meaning, it probably has a small security staff that are combat trained worms and probably more security robots.  Hopefully, the rest are just doctors and scientists.  That's what I'm hoping for.

I believe they are working with the aliens we've come to know as the Qantariate.
You wouldn't think it would get much worse than Sathar but, these things are wicked nasty."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:07, Sun 17 Oct 2021.

Please update your character sheets with what items you are taking with you. Listing items as "carried" is fine. You can also put items in the aircar for storage.

Note that you have 2 aircars available. You can transport up to 8 (including robots like Shemp, but not small ones like the spider robot).

If you want a member of the crew, such as Appleburg to go along and stay with the aircars to assist in running anyone saved back to the Moraes, that is fine. Appleburg is a trained doctor and can administer help from the back position at the aircars.

As you probably assumed, everyone will likely want to join this to participate in the game since it will be the closest thing to a frontal assault on the Sathar you have encountered in awhile (whether by stealth or not).

Your PCs also have put together the following facts:

1) This world was established as a stage for the Qantariate invasion
2) Important research for the invasion (and stopping it) are here, and possibly in the base
3) Some sort of research is being done on prisoners, such as the implant removed from Appleburg
4) The Sathar are cooperating with the invasion sects of the Qantariate, something you discovered in the last adventure.
5) There is some sort of arrangement between the two so the Sathar can exercise control over the known galaxy while the Qantariate does its thing--whatever that is.
6) And don't forget two things: (a) you need the Qantariate sphere, and (b) there is a Qantariate sect trying to stop the invasion from their dimension.

"So are their special weapons we should bring along to deal with the Qantariate as well in case they are there?"

Orvo says, "I suggest we bring the Qantariate weapons and leave them in an aircar unless it's something small like a grenade or pistol. Our weapons have not been useful against them, but they also do not seem to function well in our universe or dimension or whatever. That's why you can't let them touch you with their Blackness."

Orvo selects his weapons and defenses and is ready to go at first light. 8:00? Not sure how long it takes to get there in aircars.

Gregor goes to the armory on the Morales and grabs 2 smoke, 3 tangler and 3 doze grenades.

"Ready when you are Captain. My helmet is equip with a 10,000 km radio but Im hoping you guys are going to be within a few minutes recovery. Whos going to be in the evac vehicle and what channel are we going to be on? Might want to have a few back up channels to jump to if we get intercepted or jammed. I'll be on radio silence unless I really need help."

Bartja loads the aircar with a few extra kits and weapons as well.

"Let's drop the aircars just out of range and go in on foot with Gregor scouting ahead.  Appleburg didn't mention the Qantariate at the Sathar compound so I don't plan on bringing one of the weapons-of-blackness with me.  Just going to rely on good old-fashioned projectiles and EMP grenades, when applicable.

If we have room, I'll bring Shemp.  If we don't, I'm bringing this spider-bot and we can use it as a scout to set off any traps."

“Might I suggest we keep the main body of the team on one of the air cars ready to respond with heavy fire power and perhaps a diversion in case I get into an entanglement. The smaller footprint I make will make the scouting mission that much more effective. Once I’ve collected all the information I can return to the team and give them the details. Then we can plan our assault with complete information.”

Gregor sets several of the grenades to delay as he talks.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Wed 20 Oct 2021.

Bartja considers the plan for a few minutes, the fleshy-face-half screwed up in thought.

"It was slow going to find a trail back to the ship through unchartered terrain.  If you flag a trail in while scouting - or flag it out on the way back, it might be a much faster journey by foot for the rest of us.  If you find there are no air defenses, then we can simply speed in and drop out of the sky for a nasty surprise!"

"Yes, its a good idea to mark the trail. I can also send back waypoint coordinates and give you my planned route to the base."

Gregor takes up his backpack, checks his grenades and pistols. "Ready when you are Captain."

He pulls back the sleeve of his skeinsuit and activates the screen on his utility gauntlet to begin planning his route to the Sathar base including marking several waypoints to signal back to the team as he reaches them along the way.

I will start pushing this forward on Monday, so make sure you are all ready. I think I basically understand your plan, but please take into account the travel times over land.

Refer back to here: link to a message in this game

The first post includes travel times per hex and type of terrain.

There is also about a 1 in 10 chance of some sort of random encounter (terrain, delay or creature) per hour of travel.

You could probably get the aircars to the little green inlet about 2 squares southwest of the center in the map. This would result in about a 2 hour hike through the forest to the expected location of the base.

If you leave at dawn (7:00 a.m.), you could probably be at the base by 10:00 a.m. But if you want to take a different approach, let me know.

Desiraye sighs, and then continues.  "I have to admit, I'm not a fan of Gregor going in solo but, if he's confident enough then I'm good with it.  I think we have a solid plan by marking the trail and then moving in for the assault."