Edwin had only just made it to his quarters. Ready to take a break and catch up on some reading when the captains statement came across the comms. With a sigh he headed back toward the gunnery station he had only left a hour or so ago.

He had spent the last couple days getting familiar with as many of the ships systems as possible. He probably wasn't the best at most of them but it couldn't hurt to at least know how things worked.

Gill had put Turd away as they got closer to their journey's end. He was in a zip up jumpsuit, his armor, and his pistol at his hip. Of course he was drinking coffee and looking bored as the others scrambled. He strode slowly and deliberately without the need for alacrity. When he reached the cockpit he put his coffee down, sighed, and strapped himself in. "NOD, I will assume control when visual has been acquired."

Archie was standing in the small closet of a quarters he had, recharging for the 48 minutes a day he needed. Upon getting the Captain's orders delivered by NOD, he reactived and headed quickly for the bridge.

The engine room was where he had taken to sleeping in a nest. He invited others as it was more practical than the cold of other places though he didn't expect others to join him. People were finicky about personal space and quarters. Even in the circumstances of running cold. He simply activated his comm, "Andre in engineering, Cap. I'll head to the cargo bay in case there are... problems for the station getting their bay open." the air quotes made it sound so much better than saying: in case we have to hack the door off the hinges to make the clandestine pick up.

Everyone on the ship can hear loud trickling static on the intercom as the yellow alert switches to red while Jhenko and NOD go on open emergency coms.

NOD: "Alert! Emergency stations! We are caught in a debris field! Dangerously large and fast-moving debris inbound."

Capt. OLJ: "Why didn't scanners pick this up sooner?!"

NOD: "Something is interfering with medium and long range scans. The debris is only appearing on short-range scans."

Capt. OLJ: "Gunners, cover us! Navigation! Get us more intel on what's going on out there!"

---

MISSION OBJECTIVES

---

Threat Level: 30

• Operators, Security, & Technician: Figure out what's causing the interference
• Gunners: Destroy incoming debris before it hits the ship and spot external threats
• Operator, Pilot, & Technician: Help navigate through the debris/survive bombardment
• Support: Explore/investigate the ship

Every round the Threat Level will increase. Every 20 points introduces a new dangerous hazard begin appears on the ship in a random location/system. At threat level 100, the mission is failed. If you survive for 20 rounds or get threat level to 0, the mission is a success. You're always assumed to start in your primary role unless noted otherwise.

Every round you can do one of the following:

• Roll 1 skill check to perform a task. This reduces threat level by (Check Result - 10) if the task was actually specifically needed by the mission objective or half this amount if it was not specifically needed (GM determines). Make sure to describe what you're doing when you roll the check as this determines if it's appropriate or not.
• Roll 1 skill check to aid someone else in the same role (grant them advantage if you beat DC10, plus a bonus equal to (check result -10)/5.
• Move to a different role.
• Explore/investigate unknowns.

No rolling initiative. Just post when you can and wait until everyone's had a turn. If 3+ days pass and no one has posted and we're still waiting I'll tell you to skip them and move on to the next person.

Skip had been in the cargo hold, utilizing the larger weapon simulator.  The truth is, he had just been running scenarios similar to what they now faced as the Call to General Quarters went out.
He had started to make a practice of wearing his envirosuit pretty much all the time,as well as the gunbelt that keeps his plasma pistol holstered to his thigh.  He immediately heads for his assigned turret, and is already targetting what he thinks is the most immediate threat when the Cap'n gives his orders.
Scanning space around them, he begins triaging the rocky debris, deciding on the ones he would need to immediately shoot to protect the ship.  The most immediate threat is targetted,and he fires....

03:27, Today: Skip Tracer rolled 20 using 1d20+2.  Marksmanship-Most immediate threat.

Archie quickly got to the Technician's chair and used the scanners to find the source of the interference, as the captain ordered.

Ooc-05:18, Today: R-Chi1 rolled 19 using 3d6+6. Reducing threat level. Role-Technician.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:30, Wed 23 Aug 2023.

Andre's vest swiftly produced his Hacking Tablet and he started on the diagnostics to isolate what is interfering with the longer than short scans.

Andre Klanktonne rolled 6 using 2d20 with rolls of 1,5.  Cipher +6 Advantage Diagnostics via hacking tablet. That's 5+6=11 for a possible reduction of 1 as Operator.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:16, Wed 23 Aug 2023.

NOD dropped the stick in Gill's lap while pointing out the debris field. He must have alerted the Captain because there was an "all hands" call, which Gill silenced with a flip of a switch at his thumb. He worked the pedals, pushed and pulling levers with his left and took the stick in his right. He punched some buttons and the HUD put a bright red over the debris, making dodging them easier. He laced his fingers and pushed his palms out to crack his knuckles. "Time to go to work." He pushed everything but the debris out of his conscious mind and let his eyes guide his hands. "This is why I said screw being a lawyer, I'm gonna fly spaceships NOD."

01:13, Today: Gill Rurry rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Pilot the boat.
Reliable Talent makes it a 14!

Edwin closed his eyes for just a moment, got control of his breathing and focused on the debris. One good think that had come out of his military experience with an overzealous drill instructor was the ability to focus.

Taking aim he opened fire on the nearest debris threat.

OOC: 09:44, Today: Edwin Arlo Park rolled 18 using 3d6+4.  Marksmanship (w/ Assurance).

Osram keyed into the comms with Andre and Archie and acted as their hands and physical eyes while they ran their electronic checks.

He moved with surprising grace from stem to stern visually checking equipment and connections, and physically power cycling components as directed to ensure the diagnostics data was accurate and nothing onboard was spoofing their readings.

Osram rolled 21.  Moving quickly (athletics).

Jakova was doing what he always did in downtime...sleeping. However, this time when NOD gave the Emergency Stations call, another sound rang through Jak's room. He had asked NOD to help him find a tone that cut through whatever his mind was doing while he slept. Whatever it was, it did have the desired effect, he instantly jolted up. Immediately, he scooped up his bag and Halligan and slipped into the walkways.

With a deep breath, Jak began to systematically go over all of the nooks and crannies of the ship, starting right outside his bunk. He had heard that something was affecting the sensors...specifically long and medium range. To Jak, that rang of sabotage. He couldn't help but feel this way...it would have been something he would have done to a competitor. Didn't mean it was...it just felt like it to him.


15:42, Today: Jakova rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Perception, small spaces and unobvious locations.

@Skip Tracer, Gill Rurry, & Edwin Arlo Park:
Gunners and pilots will see an odd sight just before they're blasted it to pieces. What appears to pieces of a spacecraft with strange symbols on it that glowed a slight purple. No time to examine it, but you could swear you saw it glowing just a bit and whatever those symbols were, they were not anything you'd ever seen before.


@R-Chi1:
Archie quickly finds that there's some disconnected cables in the lower deck just beneath the engineering bay. A quick trip to that area of the ship might reveal the cause of the disconnect.


@Andre Klanktonne:
Andre's diagnostics confirmed everything NOD had said but revealed no additional information yet. However, it is giving Andre some strange readings that don't seem to make sense. (A Mechanics, Physics, or Insight check will reveal more info as to how it would or wouldn't make sense)


@Osram & Jakova
As Osram and Jakova are running around the ship, they'll see a flashing light coming from one of the lower deck rooms beneath engineering. It's not the emergency light and the sounds of electronic devices whirring in the room can be heard. A consistent "thunk thunk thunk" as the automated door attempted to close but encountered an obstacle could be heard. Upon closer inspection, a boot is blocking the door from closing. From the sound of the thunking, it seems there's someone still in that boot. Fortunately, there was no atmosphere risk and the door's closing strength was not on full gear. Otherwise, whomever it was would have lost that leg.

---

ROUND 2

---

Threat Level: 0 (debris field escaped)

• Operators, Security, & Technician: Figure out what's causing the interference
• Gunners: Destroy incoming debris before it hits the ship and spot external threats
• Operator, Pilot, & Technician: Help navigate through the debris/survive bombardment
  
• Support: Explore/investigate the ship
  

Threat level reduced to 0. Immediate danger averted.

• Destroy/dodge debris (Objective Complete): +25 XP
• Navigate/scan debris (Objective Complete): +25 XP
• Explore the ship (Objective Complete): +25 XP
• Objective completed in round 1 (Achievement): +25 XP

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:31, Sun 27 Aug 2023.

As a potential cause of the issue was narrowed down to a mechanical bay below engineering, Osram came to a stop in front of the blocked door.

He clicked on his comm and reported in to the rest of the crew, "Something's blocking a door and may be connected to our sensor issue one deck below engineering.  Is everyone accounted for?  I'm going to take a closer look."

As he finished he noticed Jakova having arrived and motioned towards the boot, then motioned for the other man to take a step back before he grabbed the door and pushed it open so whatever was on the other side of that boot could be seen.

Hearing the message over the radio as the last of the asteroids explodes into much smaller fragments, Skip clicks his com.  I am on my way.  Don't do anything until I get there.
He scrambles from the turret seat and makes his way towards the 8ndicated door.
As he gets closer, he uses his Empathic abilities to find out as much as he can.

20:38, Today: Skip Tracer rolled 12,7 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Using Empathy:  Perception and Insight.

Andre started doing calculations of physics on his tablet, "I'm going to do some maths on these odd signals. Maybe I can refine it more with some device knowledge but this is where I learn the minimum quality of feature to accomplish this."

Andre Klanktonne rolled 9,16 using d20+6,d20+6.  Physics (with tablet to double check his maths digitally.

"Captain, there's some disconnected cables in the lower deck just beneath the engineering bay. I recommend security proceed to check along with myself, as I doubt it is a mere accident."Archie points out to both Captain and the crew on the bridge.

"Swell. My work here is done, I'll be taking a coffee break until I'm needed again. NOD you got the stick." He unbuckled himself and picked up his coffee cup. He quirked a brow at R-Chi1, "Good work R, keep it up. Glad to have you on the team."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:22, Thu 24 Aug 2023.

In reply to Gill Rurry (msg # 20):

"Thank you, Crewmate Rurry." He paused, looking like he did not even see Gill for a second. Then the android's eyes locked back on his face. "Your piloting is also quite skillful. And your personality is not at all abrasive and off putting."

It is doubtful that Archie is familiar with sarcasm, or that he has the best poker face in the universe. Given the facts, he most likely thinks what he said was indeed a compliment. He then heads down to engineering assuming the Captain wishes him to do so.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Thu 24 Aug 2023.

Edwin remained at his station, just as a precaution. While there he began reviewing sensor readings and video footage for the past several minutes. He hadn't recognized any of the marking on the ship debris and it had him curious.

OOC: 12:28, Today: Edwin Arlo Park rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Perception.

Jak nodded at Os and slipped back a little bit, while still keeping a sight line beyond the boot and the door. As it slid back, he focused upon everything but the body. Not because he was squeamish...no he had seen his fair share of endings, and in various ways. No, he was looking for signs of either what the body on the floor was doing prior to being a doorstop or what had made the intruder into a makeshift doorstop. Both were equally important.


19:30, Today: Jakova rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Perception, suspicious, out of place things.

@Skip Tracer
Your empathic powers detect adrenaline fueled fear, concern, frustration, etc. from most of the crew, but not from the area just below the engine room. You sense...happiness? Joy? Ecstasy? But it doesn't seem like the innocent kind. It seems...malicious. Like the the joy a bully gets from picking on someone. And you definitely don't recognize the emotive patterns. Someone's on the ship who shouldn't be here...


@Gill Rurry, & Edwin Arlo Park:
As the ship drifts out of danger, you have a moment to observe the strange debris. Only a moment before you hear the strange news on the comms. Edwin studies the patterns carefully enough to see that there are images on them as well as sigils. It's definitely not any language you've ever seen before...even the tech of the ship looks...weird. Possibly...alien?
(Edwin only: Wisdom save or become entranced by the symbols, new save per round ends the effect. If you fail, also describe for me in your next post a memory Edwin has of experiencing good luck. Something specific and not general. Doesn't have to be big.)


@R-Chi1:
Archie sees another cable get disconnected. Whatever was happening, it was an ongoing issue...


@Andre Klanktonne:
Andre's diagnostics confirmed their sensors had been quietly taken out only moments before they were about to enter sensory range of the debris field. It was done so smoothly, even NOD didn't notice the slight fluctuations until too late. Bad luck couldn't be that precise. Something smelled of sabotage and whoever did it...was good at it.


@Osram & Jakova
As Osram and Jakova approach, they'll see Val lying unconscious with what looks like a nasty head wound, burns, and cuts on her face. No...not cuts...scratches. She also seemed to be partially covered in a strange glowing purple goo. As Osram opens the door they can see the flickering of electricity and the sound of some high pitched cackling. Inside the room there was a figure standing no taller than a couple of feet hanging on the wall with a hole exposing multiple wires throughout the room. It was shaped like a monkey but had no tail or fur and its body was semitransparent. It had batlike ears, sharp pointy teeth, large catlike eyes, and its skin glowed an eerie blue. Electricity crackled all around it as it continued ripping out wires and snickering with hateful glee. Jakova notices that there are burn marks everywhere that look like a welding torch did it.
(Roll a Charisma saving throw. If you fail, suffer disadvantage on all d20 rolls until the end of your next turn after you've left the creature's presence.

Then, roll 1 of the following:
Attack roll to get it before it can react
Medicine check to stop and examine Val
Insight check to stop and examine the creature
Investigation check to stop and examine the creature
Mysticism check to stop and examine the creature
Perception check to stop and examine the room
Stealth check to hide from it
)

@Everyone
The ship's lights suddenly flickered off before the emergency lights kicked in. The ship's engines had just gone offline meaning they were still hurdling towards their destination with no engine control.

---

ROUND 3

---

Threat Level: 40 (ship engines are dead starting the clock on a possible worst case scenario if they can't be repaired)
Creature: ??/??

• Operators, Security, & Technician: Figure out what's causing the interference
• Gunners: Destroy incoming debris before it hits the ship and spot external threats
• Operator, Pilot, & Technician: Help navigate through the debris/survive bombardment
  
• Support: Explore/investigate the ship
  
• NEW OBJECTIVE: Subdue/kill the creature
• NEW OBJECTIVE: Study the creature
• NEW OBJECTIVE: Save Val
• NEW OBJECTIVE: Repair the ship's engines
• NEW OBJECTIVE: Repair the ship's scanners

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:31, Sun 27 Aug 2023.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 24):

Archie no longer waits for the Captain's orders. The ship in distress takes priority. He heads for where the cables are being disconnected, at the same time trying to reach out to NOD.

OOC-assuming with the power down we might have trouble getting a hold of N.O.D. With my own internal computer I might be able to communicate with the ship's A.I. without a terminal or other connection. I do get advantage when making 'hacking' attempts.

21:09, Today: R-Chi1 rolled 14 using 4d6+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  Accessing NOD via hacking.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:11, Fri 25 Aug 2023.

Whatever's in there is enjoyin' what it's doin', the former Marine calls out.  Be careful.  He moves to try to see past those in the way.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:11, Fri 25 Aug 2023.

Andre knew now that it was a physical issue. The damage was being done actively and by someone trained. He activated schematics and overlay reporting signals... It wouldn't begin the repairs but it might just help him isolate where the damage was being done. That would help him coordinate the repairs. "This kind of wreckage is why I don't like public ship designs. Any fool can do a bit of damage with a little study." if there is only one area or the nearest... He will head there.

ooc- Andre Klanktonne rolled 18,14 using d20+6,d20+6.  Cipher or Mechanics either gets the same modifier. Identify location(s). Not a bad outcome even if ruled advantage isn't really allowed...