Episode 4 - Y'arrr!
We began with a flashback that I shall leave to the GM if he wishes to share or not...
The destruction of the Nautillus brings Joe out of his shell and he becomes much more engaged. After demanding the access codes for the Jane on the basis roughly half the interior was paid for by him and his contacts (which Thatch gives him as well as everyone else) the group discuss what to do now. Thatch says that Joe, being the sole Martian onboard WITHOUT a dishonourable discharge hanging over his head, should put a call into the MCRN reporting the incident and sending their datalogs. Him being a better spokesperson than a Lunan, an Earther doctor and Earther who would probably threaten them and a reformed Terrorist...
After they convince Joe that just turning the transponder off and running away wouldn't work he puts in the call stating the facts, that they were being inspected then another ship blew them away with copies of the ships logs to back it up. they then continue on to their rendezvous with the black lotus. There's a 30 ish minute light delay on the comms so an hour later they receive orders to to hold position. Joe looks at Thatch and says "I told you so" with his eyes.
After convincing the Martians they cannae change the laws of physics and slow down fast enough they are instructed to fly to Ganamede. Angelus manages to plot a course that LOOKS like we're heading there while conveniently flying right past the black lotus' current location and the MCRN accept it. Reuben knows the Martians, if they wanted us they'd come get us which means they probably accept our explanation and are just clearing up loose ends but we don't have time to waste.
We make our way to the black lotus. On the way we decide that Angelus, Victor and Joe will pretend to be the toffs while Thatch, Xiang (complete with his "eccentric" sword) and Reuben will play their security to allow them to take some "non-lethal" weapons with them. After docking the ship the group have 12 hours left before the Vostok is due to rendezvous so by a majority vote the group decide to take an hour to abuse the facilities in their suites.
As Thatch settles into an actual real bath of water ready to start poking at the computer system with his tablet to see what he can get access to the door chimes. He uses the intercom and finds it's the head of security for the Lotus, Which would be a bigger concern if it also wasn't an ex Marine called Hicks. One of the few that he got along with on the inside. Hicks saw his name come up as a guest and, wondering how in the hell a lowly grunt afforded a ticket for this place, decided to pay a visit and find out why his friend is so far from home in such eccentric company. Also why does he have the MCRN demanding the entire Black Lotus divert to Ganymede since they are harbouring "fugitives" (that's us!).
Thatch tells Hicks everything. That he's no idea quite how it happened but they are apaprently trying to stop terrorists destroying the Lotus. We know the guy is called Miles and is in engineering. Hicks takes Thatch at his word and checks. Miles was recently restricted to quarters after being found in an area of the ship he didn't have access to. Thatch convinces Miles to let him and his friends speak to him and try find out what he did with the Master Key. Hicks says he'll be back in 5 minutes.
Thatch puts in a call to tell everyone there is a change of plan and to come to his quarters (pulling an annoyed Xiang away from the massage section of the rooms menu). He explains what has happened and that he trusts Hicks. At that point the engines cut out and everyone go's on the float. Hicks comes back and says it has been done as a precaution thent takes them down to Miles' room where they find a floating corpse anchored by his magboots. Victor quickly confirms he died from cyanide. Hicks gives Thatch a key card and go's to check on the ships drives just incase they need to eject it or to evacuate the ship and Thatch go's to work on the computer system while th rest search the room.
Thatch finds he had used the key to hack into the CnC systems to get access to the tightbeam. He'd send several messages out to the Vostok all starting "Handheld Banana Syrup". the first was four days before saying that "Lion inplace and integrated" and another a few hours before the present stating "Possibly Compromised. Pod release scheduled. Execute plan Beta on Pod Failure. Ascend". Thatch quickly checks and finds that one of the escape pods has been programmed to launch in 10 hours.
Joe meanwhile is paying unusual interest in Miles' underwear drawer. Reuben catches him move a box with MCRN markings which, when questioned, Joe denies all knowledge of until it's pointed out in front of him. Victor looks at the box and finds it's OsteoArthritis medicine presumably for Miles who, like a lot of belters, suffered and was probably in a lot of pain. No one sees any harm in letting Joe keep it. While he finds that Xiang spots a snowglobe on his desk. Picking it up it seems to be of the UN building on earth. He gives it a shake and hears a slight rattle. turning it over he finds a compartment with a little computer stick he quickly shows to Thatch who confirms it's the slug.
Using the Slug, and after warning Hicks, Thatch scans the system for the code used and quickly finds a command set to blow the reactor one hour after the escape pod is supposed to launch. Five hours, copious amounts of fizzy caffinated beverages, multiple lucky escapes, and many snacks later Thatch sits back and rubs his eyes. He's managed to diffuse the bomb.
Meanwhile the rest have come up with a plan. Stopping the ship exploding is all well and good but there's still a frigate out there armed with Stealth torpedoes and this "plan Beta" might just be shoot it till it's dead. Angelus, knowing Ascension aren't the sort to leave a man behind, assumes they really DID plan to pick up Lion. Therefore if they can get aboard that escape pod maybe we could take their ship and board them? Hicks, after being told the ship isn't about to blow, agrees to the plan, sending along three of his men (Anderson, Belicheck and Krump) as well as letting the group gather armour and rifles from the ships armoury. Xiang is disappointed to find they cannot loan him a Cutlass and an eyepatch.
As they board the Escape pod, angelus letting Joe pilot to make it look less competent, Thatch stumbles on the of "lion" sending a text message to the Vostok (using the right codewords) to advise them the "bomb" is planted but detonation was delayed for another 5 hours and that he'll explain on pickup.
Ascension buy it. Telling them to dock at the normal airlock. Having no idea and no inclination to guess they just dock at the one nearest to the control room and the Ex Marines (Thatch and Reuben) get ready. The second the hatch opens they shoot, taking an old guy apart before he can even finish Hello. they charge forward knowing speed is of the essence and take out another around the corridor before the iris to the main control room is closed. Thatch quickly hacks the door open and Joe throws in a grenade. There's a loud thud and Reuben and thatch push themselves down through the "roof" of the command deck head first seeing two men behind the Holo table one an old belter the other a young mixed race kid who Reuben recognises with a start.
As they bring their weapons up Reuben shoutss "Peter! It's me!" (
Overly Dramatic Prairie dog!) "Peter! Your father is here!" He hastily opens his helmet to let them see his face. At this point several things happen at once.
⦁ Peter looks suprised
⦁ the old Belter turns his gun on Reuben
⦁ Thatch, having no fucking clu what is going on, opens up on the old belter before he can take Reuben out. Taking him out first
⦁ Joe throws in what he thinks is a gas grenade.
⦁ It's not
⦁ Thatch gets as far as "Motherfu...." before getting a face full of bang
⦁ Reuben dives on top of Peter. Shielding him.
Thatch manages to take most of the blast on his armour but he was definitely riding his luck (all 2 points of it he had left!). The rest of the group quickly spread out and search the rest of the ship finding no one else as Peter is restained. Angelus asks "what's going on?" to which Reuben suggests he might want to come down ASAP. Angelus looks at Peter and see's he has his Aunts eyes (
Overly dramatic Prairie dog!). Peter, it seems, is Angelus' almost 19 year old son. Preusmably of his partner Gillette who must have survived along with Pablo.
Peter want's nothing to do with his "traitor father" openly ignoring him while Reuben tries to convince him to talk. Eventually he reveals Gillette is dead and Angelus convinces him to come somewhere private so they can talk. Thatch calls Hicks telling him everything is safe. Hicks is grateful beyond measure then asks whether they are coming back to face the Dusters or did they "die when the escape pod was blown up". Thatch acknowledges what a shame it is to die and, after getting Hicks' men back to him, arranges for the escape pod to be blown up by the Vostosk PDC's. Hicks promises to tell the truth of what the group did, saving so many Earther lives but how they tragically died trying to board the Vostok.
The group now take stock and suddenly realise. "Hey. We own a frigate now!" and start to take stock of their new home and decide what to do next...
Key Facts
⦁ We're on a (bigger) boat!)
⦁ The Vostok has only one basic torpedo left, which is probably why it didn't take them out when it blew the Niagara.
⦁ They also find 10 sheets of Stealth comp in the stores as well as 6months worth of supplies and rations
⦁ The ships logs get purged weekly but there is one hardcoded "bolthole" location which is an old asteroid int he belt (LV432-b)
⦁ The log also mentioned a successful test of "Azrael Torpedo" Cere being compromised (wonder why...) and a meeting with the Loca Griga going well.
⦁ There is one message from a Bepp saying "the Angel is coming Father"...
⦁ The Vostok has no transponder active.
⦁ What do we do with a frigate while deadmen?