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Author Topic: (IC - SWN) On the Perimeter  (Read 21060 times)

Mr. Kent

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« on: April 28, 2014, 12:19:08 PM »
It is early May on Qetesh, and Summer is in full swing.

Qetesh at a glance:
Atmosphere: inert gas (02 tanks needed outside, otherwise safe)
Temperature: warm
Biosphere: none native (imported agriculture)
Population: 2,600,000
Tech Level: 4
General Impressions: domed settlements, agriculture bubbles, red and orange hued mesas and canyons

You are all at Perimeter Base, a split-level bunker in the Qeteshi wilderness. The original Agency chose this location for its decent proximity to urban resources and its relative seclusion from nosy neighbors. The nearest dome is the First Municipality of Qetesh, dubbed Q-Town by the locals. It is north, two hours away, and has the largest functioning spaceport on Qetesh. Five hours away going east is the dome of Jessup. It is rich with agriculture, but has to use Q-Town's port to ship offworld, and its population is bitter about that.

You each have quarters and a workspace in the base. In addition to a Common Room and Dining Area, Perimeter Base has a few key features:
  • The Lab is the heart of Perimeter Base. It is where currently active projects or recent finds are kept, studied, and tested. It includes a firing range, for weapons testing and practice. If found to be of beneficial use, tech usually either remains in the Lab or is moved to private quarters. Dangerous or uncontrollable tech is moved to the Gallery.
  • The Gallery is the Lab's twisted sister. Here, wild pretech or maltech is kept in individual null-cages to be admired from afar. Only the most extreme specimens are actually destroyed.
  • The Titanic Orrery is a full holographic suite and database of planetary info for Titan Sector, updated as new info comes to light. It is powered by a pretech hard light emitter, the largest and most complex ever discovered. It doubles as a meeting hall for the planning of expeditions.
  • The Garage is where you access your private vehicles. There is a vintage '67 pickup truck there currently. The outer-garage is for spaceships, but there are none docked there now.
  • External defensive turrets are placed at the front entrance and outside the outer-garage. They are presently inoperable.
  • Basement tunnel access to Qetesh's wondrously extensive cave network.
The only inhabitants of Perimeter Base are yourselves and four others:
  • Dr. Nagesh Nadir, who purchased and privatized the Perimeter Agency in 3180. His body is spotted by veins and tumors. He is an expert in energy systems, including weaponry. Nadir mostly remains in his office.
  • Dr. Meteora Ling, Nadir's personal physician. She wears a medtech bodysuit at all times, except within her own sealed quarters. Her area of medical expertise is longevity. Ling is at Nadir's side most of the time.
  • Modia, an AI in a very human-looking body--except for her off-putting yellow eyes. She is a walking computer with a focus on planetary mapping and galactic data. She curates all data within the Titanic Orrery.
  • Spanner, a young mechanic, currently off-base on assignment with the Agency's shuttle. He joined the Agency shortly before you three. The back of his neck bears the brand of a Waldoan inmate.


The skeleton crew is due to the Agency's decline over the years. When Nadir took over, he had a full staff. Now it is all he can do to keep things running himself while his specialists are away. You haven't been employed here long enough to know just how bad off the Agency is, but the look on Modia's face says you're about to find out--she asks you all to come to the  Orrery to speak with Dr. Nadir.
I make the comics and arts! // Tumblr // DeviantArt // EnterVOID
RUNNING and RECRUITING: SWN: On the Perimeter - Clandestine Science Weirdness OOC // IC  // WIKI
NOW PLAYING: Gideon Sharp in Top Secret, Hanalee Hondo in 5e Basic: Livonia's Lament

Shipyard Locked

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2014, 01:47:20 PM »
Blinov grunts and complies immediately, dropping the precognitive flash cards he was practicing with. As he heads down the hallway he cranks up the noise he's listening to on his oversized headphones with the cartoon ghost stickers. He's into "churn-drop" apparently, a musical genre popularized by the Hochog that prominently features watery roaring noises not unlike a powerful toilet tearing itself apart.

Drohem

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2014, 01:50:58 PM »
Upon receiving the notice to report to the Orrery, Alexsandr pours himself a shot of vodka and as he looks in the mirror he says out loud to himself in Russian, "Поехали!"  (pa-yé-kha-lee!)

He then quickly shaves, combs his hair, grooms his goatee, and splashes on some cologne.  He gets dressed quickly and takes a final look at himself in the mirror, and makes some last minute adjustments to his clothes to make sure there no wrinkles and everything is lined up proper.  

Satisfied with his appearance, he pours himself another shot of vodka and downs it quickly.  He starts for the door but then stops suddenly in his tracks and goes back into the bathroom.  He quickly gargles and rinses with some powerful mouthwash.  He spits and rinses it down the drain.

He smiles at himself and says in Russian, "Ni Pukha, Ni Pyera!"  (nee poo-khuh nee pee-rah!)

Completely finished and ready to go, he heads out of his room and makes his way to the Orrery.

Opaopajr

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2014, 08:40:21 PM »
Placing the last of the flapjacks atop a stacked plate and covering it with a clean dishtowel to stay warm, Jolene 'tsks' at having to be torn away from the second pan cooling with leftover bacon grease and tidbits. "Well the gravy is just gonna have to suffer a little; the good Doctor is callin'."

Checking all the fire is off and sharps put away, which being a tech 4 kitchen already is with all its safeties she did not grow up with, she covers the cooling pan and dish piled high with bacon each with a lid. She whips off her apron in a flash as if it was an emergency and folds it in a smooth motion, with a speed that speaks of lifelong experience of emergencies while wearing an apron. As she heads out the door there's a last minute pause for vanity as Jolene tidies her hair for fly-aways and readies a practiced smile.

In imitation of her mother's oft said words to her, she says aloud "Here's the real thing, Josephine. Make your family proud." {You know I will, momma!} she mentally replies to herself.
« Last Edit: April 28, 2014, 08:54:32 PM by Opaopajr »
Just make your fuckin' guy and roll the dice, you pricks. Focus on what's interesting, not what gives you the biggest randomly generated virtual penis.  -- J Arcane
 
You know, people keep comparing non-TSR D&D to deck-building in Magic: the Gathering. But maybe it's more like Katamari Damacy. You keep sticking shit on your characters until they are big enough to be a star.
-- talysman

Mr. Kent

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2014, 12:09:53 PM »
As you enter the Orrery, Modia looks up. "Привет!" she greets everyone. "Oh, I'm sorry--and hello to you, too, Ms. Rydell!" she adds, not wanting Jolene to feel left out. Upon close inspection of the gynoid, you can tissue fatigue where her synthetic eyelids were removed, suggesting her LED-like oculars were installed well after her manufacture. Her unblinking stare turns towards Dr. Nadir at the end of the room.

Nadir has an oxygen mask today, and of course Dr. Ling is close by. "I have your weekly pay," he tells you upfront. "I have transferred 150 credits to each of you…"

He looks around in frustration. "I know, I know, it's not the agreed upon 300 a week, but I'm in a bit of a bind…" He goes into a brief coughing fit, and sighs deeply when he recovers.

"As you know, my funding comes from my contracts--various groups who have purchased the designs for my inventions and pay me a royalty. Well I just received word from my biggest client, Newsun-Matsuri Energy Concern." As Nadir speaks, Modia calls upon the Orrery to flash a projection of the NME logo, a rising sun with an electric bolt down the center.

"It seems they've discontinued the contract for the battery I created. I…I'm sure I'll find a new client soon, however. In the meantime, I can decrease funds to my 'roaming assets', the agents in the field. Or perhaps Newsun-Matsuri can be reasoned with…they do have an office in Q-Town, though they are not aware I am even on the same planet."

[Modia can bring up the Orrery's map of Titan Sector when needed.
« Last Edit: May 01, 2014, 02:45:16 AM by Mr. Kent »
I make the comics and arts! // Tumblr // DeviantArt // EnterVOID
RUNNING and RECRUITING: SWN: On the Perimeter - Clandestine Science Weirdness OOC // IC  // WIKI
NOW PLAYING: Gideon Sharp in Top Secret, Hanalee Hondo in 5e Basic: Livonia's Lament

Drohem

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2014, 01:29:41 PM »
"Was the termination of the account legal according to the contract between you two?" Alexandr asks genuinely.

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« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2014, 07:36:35 PM »
"And did they say specifically what was wrong with the battery?" adds Binov. "If there's some way to refine the tech we should look into it." He looks over at Jo-jo, hoping she might have some science insight.

Binov hates cash-flow disruption, but he's too loyal on general principle to grumble audibly about this latest setback. He just mentally crosses out a few of the holo-games he was planning on purchasing.

Mr. Kent

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2014, 01:42:16 AM »
"Fifteen years ago I designed the battery for Newsun-Matsuri--meant to power portable construction and mining equipment and vehicles for much longer than any B-cell. I dubbed this the X-cell, able to last at last twice as long as a B, and recharging in half the time!" He smiles proudly, his cracked lips exposing yellowing teeth. "I'd like to think the utility of my battery helped NME become the massive star-spanning force it is today."

Nadir shakes his head. "But time marches on, I'm afraid," he explains. He turns to Alexandr. "A representative here on Qetesh--name of Ran Iijima--sent me a message. Basically 'Thanks for your design, but we no longer have need of it.' They're upgrading, it seems. She cited an 'obsolescence contingency' I'd foolishly signed years back. If they're not using my design, they ain't gonna pay me for it."

"They aren't being fair," Modia interjects, looking at Nadir with concern. "Tell them the rest," she urges.

Nadir wheezes. "They were within their rights to terminate the contract, but they do owe me the rest of this month's royalty--2500 credits total." Even the normally silent Dr. Ling scoffs aloud at this.

"Unfortunately the x-cell was costly to manufacture, else I'd have made them for your use. NME even holds the original prototype in one of their warehouses."
I make the comics and arts! // Tumblr // DeviantArt // EnterVOID
RUNNING and RECRUITING: SWN: On the Perimeter - Clandestine Science Weirdness OOC // IC  // WIKI
NOW PLAYING: Gideon Sharp in Top Secret, Hanalee Hondo in 5e Basic: Livonia's Lament

Opaopajr

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2014, 04:24:05 AM »
"I trust the good doctor has the skee-matics for this X battery with him still. 'Mind your egg layin' hens,' we'd say back home. Even the big city folks up in Jessup understood the sooth in that." Jolene beams to everyone, "Just give us a sales catalog and tell us where the customers are linin' up and we'll get you set to rights right quick!"

{I know the value of a good battery, as that makes life on Qetesh. These domes about would just be linin' up for some easier livin'. And I even showed some rarified living, with 'sales catalog' and 'skee-matics'. I done good,} she thinks.
Just make your fuckin' guy and roll the dice, you pricks. Focus on what's interesting, not what gives you the biggest randomly generated virtual penis.  -- J Arcane
 
You know, people keep comparing non-TSR D&D to deck-building in Magic: the Gathering. But maybe it's more like Katamari Damacy. You keep sticking shit on your characters until they are big enough to be a star.
-- talysman

Drohem

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2014, 10:51:13 AM »
Alexandr nods as Dr. Nadir speaks and listens intently.

"We'll have a talk with this Ran Iijima and get the credits owed for the contract," he says with Russian accent, "does Newsun-Matsuri own the rights to the original prototype?  Should I have it returned to you?"

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« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2014, 01:26:04 PM »
Binov also nods along, relieved that the oldsters are setting the course. The big picture business decisions usually go over his head and he doesn't like to admit it. His competencies lie elsewhere.

Mr. Kent

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #11 on: May 01, 2014, 02:30:30 AM »
"Yes, Ms. Rydell, I do have the schematics for it, which I can send to your compad shortly," Nadir informs Jolene. "If you can market it to the people like you say, I'm sure you'll have good results!"

Nadir considers Aleksandr's question carefully. "They do technically own the original prototype, due to the unfortunate contract negotiation I blundered those years ago. If they're going to upgrade to some other energy supply, I wouldn't think they'd miss it, however."

"Speaking of this mysterious new 'upgrade'," he continues, "I would be curious to find out more about it. Iijima may not be forthcoming with such trade secrets, but if Newsun-Matsuri's discovered something interesting I see it as a professional obligation that we  uncover it for ourselves, no?" His eyes grow wide, eager, and he leans forward in his chair.

At this point Dr. Ling steps in. "Don’t get worked up now, Nagesh," Ling tells her patient flatly, placing a hand on his shoulder. She opens a metallic case on a nearby table, revealing six small syringes of green and yellow chemicals. You all recognize this as the harsh chemotherapy cocktail Dr. Nadir must receive daily.
« Last Edit: May 01, 2014, 03:35:45 AM by Mr. Kent »
I make the comics and arts! // Tumblr // DeviantArt // EnterVOID
RUNNING and RECRUITING: SWN: On the Perimeter - Clandestine Science Weirdness OOC // IC  // WIKI
NOW PLAYING: Gideon Sharp in Top Secret, Hanalee Hondo in 5e Basic: Livonia's Lament

Opaopajr

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #12 on: May 01, 2014, 03:23:42 AM »
"Well that's just a matter of chattin' up their techs with a fifth or two. Half them tech fellas think they can hold their licker better'n they can, and the other half can barely look a woman in the eye. We just need a roughneck with a hollow leg, to challenge their male pride, and a few fillies flashing their pearly whites, and they'll hogtie themselves." She rests her hands backwards on her hips, throwing her elbows back and chest out as if readied for a good self-satisfied laugh.

{I wonder if the contracts on Waldo would be better. They have those big prisons in constant need of energy and backup generators. Those customers could be big. But that place is right nasty, as I heard from blood myself. I dunno if I could abide in making the miserable into the hellacious...} she multitasks an internal debate while feeding much needed high spirits in a room in need of it.
« Last Edit: May 01, 2014, 03:27:10 AM by Opaopajr »
Just make your fuckin' guy and roll the dice, you pricks. Focus on what's interesting, not what gives you the biggest randomly generated virtual penis.  -- J Arcane
 
You know, people keep comparing non-TSR D&D to deck-building in Magic: the Gathering. But maybe it's more like Katamari Damacy. You keep sticking shit on your characters until they are big enough to be a star.
-- talysman

Drohem

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2014, 05:43:27 PM »
"Well," Alexsandr says thoughtfully, "I guess we could ask for the prototype back and see if they are going to be cooperative.  We will see what we can do."

Mr. Kent

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(IC - SWN) On the Perimeter
« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2014, 02:15:31 AM »
Modia nods. "I'll make sure your truck's battery is fueled," she assures you, and heads to the garage. Ten minutes later the vehicle's B-cell battery is charged and ready to go. The attentive android has placed three atmofilters and three six-hour O2 tanks sitting in the cab. There are three back-up tanks in the back of the truck, each worth three hours of O2. Since the trip to Q-Town is only two hours, you should be fine to reach the dome. However, any trips to Jessup or domes beyond will require a change in tanks.

"NME's Qetesh Office shouldn't be hard to find--just look close to the spacedock," Nadir explains.
I make the comics and arts! // Tumblr // DeviantArt // EnterVOID
RUNNING and RECRUITING: SWN: On the Perimeter - Clandestine Science Weirdness OOC // IC  // WIKI
NOW PLAYING: Gideon Sharp in Top Secret, Hanalee Hondo in 5e Basic: Livonia's Lament