Zhuge 2413 B685574-C Ag Ga Ht Ni 513
Trade Codes: Agricultural, Garden, High Tech, Non-Industrial
Summary:
While technically Zhuge is considered a “garden” planet, its long cold winters are far from pleasant. The inhabitants of this world are known to be cold, stoic, and stubborn, but on the other hand their traditions of loyalty and honor are well respected. The world is divided into roughly a dozen nations, each of which is little more than a loose confederation of independent provinces. Shifting alliances, changing borders, and centuries-old feuds make Zhugean politics difficult for outsiders to follow, but their frequent wars are fought under strict codes of conduct that make civilian casualties and collateral damage virtually non-existent.
Zhuge is home to a unique breed of cattle - bos zhugensis - which is related to terrestrial livestock, but grows to tremendous sizes. An adult bull typically reaches almost 3 meters at the shoulder and masses around 6000 kilograms. Vast quantities of Zhugean beef are sold to the Navy at discount prices where it is reviled as tough, greasy, and nearly flavorless.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Episode 3 - The Getaway
Densun, Howotro
065-221 through 072-221
Captain Ross handed Henri his laser pistol and then proceded to drag a struggling Mr. Chen across the rooftop toward the garage, while Harim and Thiel took up positions covering the rear. Moments later two thugs in dark suits came through the door and fired wildly at the fleeing men. Marquis de Lyon ducked behind some cover while Jordan continued hustiling their erstwhile business partner toward the building. Thiel knocked out one of the attackers with a stunner and the other fell to Henri's laser.
Reaching the garage, Jordan began assessing the state of the grav cars... which was not terribly good. One of the two cars had been partially cannibalized to repair the other, but neither was immediately ready to fly. Meanwhile, Harim had taken the pistols from the fallen men and moved to a point where he could cover the door, and Henri made his way to the garage.
Another pair of thugs stormed out onto the roof firing enthusiastically if not accurately. Despite Harim's stolen pistol jamming, these men were quickly gunned down as well. Captain Ross determined that he could get one of the cars operational with just a couple parts taken from the other car and began doing just that.
During a brief respite, Harim and Thiel made their way to the garage. Thiel borrowed a pistol and found a concealed spot from which he could cover the rooftop. While Ross worked on the cars, the two Marquis realized that there was another door in the garage that lead to a stairwell into the building. Seeing the massive powerplant for the cannibalized car was on a wheeled hoist, they maneuvered it to the door and dropped it, effectivly jamming the door shut. Moments later there was a determined banging on the door. Harim fired through the door and from the cry of pain on the other side, apparently wounded someone. The thugs returned fire through the door, but didn't manage to injure anyone.
As soon as the car was operational, Harim jumped into the driver's seat and Henri climbed into the front passenger seat. Jordan opened the garage door and hustled Mr. Chen into the back of the car. Thiel hopped in and Harim flew off just as more thugs charged onto the rooftop.
The first few seconds of flight were a bit shaky as Marquis Samadr familiarized himself with the controls, but he soon had the car under control. Unfortunately, a few moments later the car's electrical systems started shorting out and the car lost altitude quickly. Harim didn't quite land softly, but he did manage to put the car down without a major crash. The car would never fly again, but the passengers were able to walk away only slightly shaken.
Luckily, between the spore-laden air and the rundown nature of the neighborhood, there were no witnesses to see them exit the vehicle and hustle down the street. Soon they heard a police siren approaching, and they ducked unseen into a coffee shop.
Mr. Chen explained that in addition to being a gangster, Thomas Sun was also a police detective, so that they could expect more trouble than help from the authorities. When asked if their deal was still on, he apologized and explained that he was going to have to flee the planet and would no longer have the money to invest in a starship.
While they were pondering their next move, Jordan realized that he had received a message sometime during the excitement. It turned out to be from a Baroness Keshiigma who had attended his reception but didn't get a chance to meet him. She was preparing for short cruise on her yacht and invited Captain Ross to join her. Marquis de Lyon remebered her as a remarkably unpleasant dinner companion, but eventually agreed that she could be useful given their current circumstances.
After a brief call to the Baroness' secretary, a car was sent to pick them up at the coffee shop. With a little persuasion and a twenty credit bill, the driver agreed to drop Mr. Chen at the starport before taking everyone else to the harbor. The entrance to the starport was blocked by a police cordon, but the Baroness' driver was waved through without incident. Thiel escorted Mr. Chen to a bank inside of the starport and received the promised Cr.10000 as well as another apology.
Once on the yacht, the four men dined with the Baroness and her consort. She turned out to be as unpleasant as Henri had described her, fawning over the Marquis' and the Navy Captain, but rude and dismissive to Thiel. With some carefully applied charm, Harim convinced the Baroness to talk about her various businesses. He learned that she was an investor in several starhip companies, including the very same Sentinel Express Lines that they had been investigating. She also revealed that she was a friend and business partner of the mysterious Mr. Smith. The Baroness offered to provide a personal introduction to Mr. Smith but explained that he was going to be out of the system for a number of weeks. The four friends spent the rest of the week relaxing on the luxurious - if somewhat gaudy - yacht.
065-221 through 072-221
Captain Ross handed Henri his laser pistol and then proceded to drag a struggling Mr. Chen across the rooftop toward the garage, while Harim and Thiel took up positions covering the rear. Moments later two thugs in dark suits came through the door and fired wildly at the fleeing men. Marquis de Lyon ducked behind some cover while Jordan continued hustiling their erstwhile business partner toward the building. Thiel knocked out one of the attackers with a stunner and the other fell to Henri's laser.
Reaching the garage, Jordan began assessing the state of the grav cars... which was not terribly good. One of the two cars had been partially cannibalized to repair the other, but neither was immediately ready to fly. Meanwhile, Harim had taken the pistols from the fallen men and moved to a point where he could cover the door, and Henri made his way to the garage.
Another pair of thugs stormed out onto the roof firing enthusiastically if not accurately. Despite Harim's stolen pistol jamming, these men were quickly gunned down as well. Captain Ross determined that he could get one of the cars operational with just a couple parts taken from the other car and began doing just that.
During a brief respite, Harim and Thiel made their way to the garage. Thiel borrowed a pistol and found a concealed spot from which he could cover the rooftop. While Ross worked on the cars, the two Marquis realized that there was another door in the garage that lead to a stairwell into the building. Seeing the massive powerplant for the cannibalized car was on a wheeled hoist, they maneuvered it to the door and dropped it, effectivly jamming the door shut. Moments later there was a determined banging on the door. Harim fired through the door and from the cry of pain on the other side, apparently wounded someone. The thugs returned fire through the door, but didn't manage to injure anyone.
As soon as the car was operational, Harim jumped into the driver's seat and Henri climbed into the front passenger seat. Jordan opened the garage door and hustled Mr. Chen into the back of the car. Thiel hopped in and Harim flew off just as more thugs charged onto the rooftop.
The first few seconds of flight were a bit shaky as Marquis Samadr familiarized himself with the controls, but he soon had the car under control. Unfortunately, a few moments later the car's electrical systems started shorting out and the car lost altitude quickly. Harim didn't quite land softly, but he did manage to put the car down without a major crash. The car would never fly again, but the passengers were able to walk away only slightly shaken.
Luckily, between the spore-laden air and the rundown nature of the neighborhood, there were no witnesses to see them exit the vehicle and hustle down the street. Soon they heard a police siren approaching, and they ducked unseen into a coffee shop.
Mr. Chen explained that in addition to being a gangster, Thomas Sun was also a police detective, so that they could expect more trouble than help from the authorities. When asked if their deal was still on, he apologized and explained that he was going to have to flee the planet and would no longer have the money to invest in a starship.
While they were pondering their next move, Jordan realized that he had received a message sometime during the excitement. It turned out to be from a Baroness Keshiigma who had attended his reception but didn't get a chance to meet him. She was preparing for short cruise on her yacht and invited Captain Ross to join her. Marquis de Lyon remebered her as a remarkably unpleasant dinner companion, but eventually agreed that she could be useful given their current circumstances.
After a brief call to the Baroness' secretary, a car was sent to pick them up at the coffee shop. With a little persuasion and a twenty credit bill, the driver agreed to drop Mr. Chen at the starport before taking everyone else to the harbor. The entrance to the starport was blocked by a police cordon, but the Baroness' driver was waved through without incident. Thiel escorted Mr. Chen to a bank inside of the starport and received the promised Cr.10000 as well as another apology.
Once on the yacht, the four men dined with the Baroness and her consort. She turned out to be as unpleasant as Henri had described her, fawning over the Marquis' and the Navy Captain, but rude and dismissive to Thiel. With some carefully applied charm, Harim convinced the Baroness to talk about her various businesses. He learned that she was an investor in several starhip companies, including the very same Sentinel Express Lines that they had been investigating. She also revealed that she was a friend and business partner of the mysterious Mr. Smith. The Baroness offered to provide a personal introduction to Mr. Smith but explained that he was going to be out of the system for a number of weeks. The four friends spent the rest of the week relaxing on the luxurious - if somewhat gaudy - yacht.
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