TUELLER: “This is literally messianic, Millie.”
MILLICENT: Millie nods.
STORY: Calixta blows air out of her mouth.
TUELLER: “Except instead of saving the human race you’re now talking about saving the universe.”
MILLICENT: “I. I know it’s big.”
STORY: “I call the one with the sword.”
STORY: “The flaming sword? Right?”
STORY: “I always wanted a flaming sword.”
TUELLER: “The flaming sword was what was used to keep people out of Eden.”
MILLICENT: “Uriel.” Millie says absently.
STORY: “Well this time we’ll let them in with it, smarty pants.”
STORY: Tueller, you’re onboard Peregrine, standing in her cargo bay for the first time in a year. You’re holding a small duffel bag with your possessions. The bay door closes behind you as Calixta comes in over the intercom. “Welcome home, Tueller. Grab a railing please, the exit out of atmo is a little shaky on this moon.”
TUELLER: Tueller does so, not confident of his ability to manage it like before.
TUELLER: Otherwise he just stands there.
TUELLER: “Less shaky than my last exit here, i guess.”
TUELLER: “After all the bodies.”
STORY: Millie, where are you?
MILLICENT: In the mess making some coffee.
STORY: Fiona comes out from behind a crate and headbutts you on the back of a thigh, Tueller.
TUELLER: Tueller, without letting go of the railing, goes down to skritch her.
TUELLER: “Good to see you, girl. Didn’t miss you a bit.”
STORY: “Lying.”
STORY: After the ship stops shaking, it moves into the smooth non-motion you remember that means you’ve left the moon’s atmosphere and are back in the black. Calixta pokes her head down into the bay from upstairs. “Millie made coffee.”
TUELLER: “Uh, hi. Thanks.”
MILLICENT: Millie finishes pulling a whiteboard into the mess. Everyone but Calixta and Tueller are there enjoying coffee.
TUELLER: Tueller heads towards everyone else.
MILLICENT: Millie sips coffee and looks uncomfortably at Dr. Bolano.
STORY: Dr. Bolano inhales quietly and, looking around, sizes up the place.
STORY: “New ship?”
MILLICENT: Millie shakes her head. “Just kind of empty right now.”
STORY: She nods. “Clean, though.”
TUELLER: Tueller’s walking to the galley and will get there at a narratively convenient time.
STORY: Calixta comes in, grabbing a mug from a high cupboard. “Tidy ship, less accidents, nowhere to hide.”
MILLICENT: “Ah, here we are.” Millie crosses to Tueller and hugs him awkwardly.
MILLICENT: “It’s good to have you back home, Tueller.”
TUELLER: “There’s always somewhere to hide.”
STORY: Dr. Bolano takes a sip, thinking “fewer” with all her might.
TUELLER: “Good to be here.”
STORY: Calixta raises her cup toward you as a greeting.
TUELLER: “Doc. Doctor,” Tueller nods to them one after another.
TUELLER: Getting to Cali, “Any preference what I call you?”
TUELLER: “Kind of moved beyond assigning people nicknames. Doc talked about it as a bit of a…well, power move on my part.”
STORY: Calixta takes a long, deep breath.
TUELLER: “I should let people be who they are, not what I can get away with.”
STORY: “Dr. Bolano, I’m an AI mind that has fused with a cybernetically enhanced human brain. There’s also a part of my consciousness that pilots the ship and performs other computational functions when needed. Before you ask, it’s impossible for me to fully separate or fully join, and I wouldn’t want to anyway, as I’m quite satisfied living just as I am. I’m happy to answer to either name I had before my joining, which are Calixta or Noma. Just letting you know, since my friends here don’t need the reminder.”
STORY: Dr. Bolano smiles, standing and offering a hand. “Nice to meet you, Calixta.”
STORY: Calixta shakes it.
TUELLER: Was the “Friends” there pointed at all?
STORY: She’s smiling as she delivers it, but is also clearly irritated at having to explain it to you again.
TUELLER: Well, shit, that sucks because Tueller wasn’t meaning offense or needing an explanation.
TUELLER: And looks disappointed for having done so again.
TUELLER: He pours himself a cup of coffee. “This isn’t the civet shit brand, right?”
TUELLER: “That was some rich boy shit.”
MILLICENT: “No, it’s some new thing off Luna. So, let’s get down to it. Tueller, have you told Dr. Bolano what we’re about? And do you think it’s wise to bring her into our work?”
STORY: Dr. Bolano raises a hand. “I’d actually prepared something for this.”
STORY: “If you don’t mind, Tueller.”
TUELLER: “Doc, I haven’t told Dr. Bolano what we’re about, because I don’t know what we’re about anymore. I’m not sure what the work is anymore. I have been in a very comfortable prison coming to terms with myself, and Doctor Bolano is probably better prepared…yes, proceed, doctor.”
STORY: “I’m not Tueller’s jailer. I’m here, well, to be honest I’m here because your friend is paying me triple my salary and prison work was getting to me. I’m your doctor. I’m also aware that you’re on parole, which means if you get caught violating Ark law in Ark space you return to the moon.”
STORY: “I’m not your jailer, and I’m not your parole officer. I’m not here to keep tabs on you.”
STORY: “I’m also not here to aid in whatever it is you’re going to get up to.”
STORY: “This is a job, one I do happily, as I’ve come to quite appreciate Tueller as a patient. I’m also happy to take sessions with the two of you -” she gestures to Millie and Calixta, “particularly you, Calixta, given that I’m sure you have a lot to work through.”
STORY: “That is, I hope, the extent of my plans for my time here.”
STORY: “You’ve got me for one year, assuming we all stay on good terms. Questions?”
MILLICENT: Millie raises her hand.
STORY: “Yes, Dr. Breedlove.”
MILLICENT: “Do you want to know what we’re doing here?”
STORY: “Not remotely, unless it aids in Tueller’s recovery.”
MILLICENT: “Mmmm.”
MILLICENT: “What was your field of study in school, doctor?”
STORY: Dr. Bolano tilts her head. “Are you planning on taking sessions with me, Dr. Breedlove?”
MILLICENT: “Perhaps. But I had something else in mind. Would you mind terribly answering the question?”
STORY: “I studied for my MD on Luna, completed my residency on an Erde-Maris base in the asteroid belt, and went back to Luna for a PhD in theology and philosophy.”
STORY: “Why do you ask?”
MILLICENT: Long pause. “There may come a time when we take on additional passengers or crew to this ship. Their. Unique experiences will likely leave them in a state of shock, requiring professional assistance. I am satisfied that you will be capable of providing it, should the time come.”
STORY: Dr. Bolano looks at Millie calmly.
TUELLER: “She might be able to help you too, Doc.”
STORY: “Dr. Breedlove, we met when I was administering psychiatric care to hundreds of violent offenders in prison.”
STORY: “Why on earth would you think you need to check my credentials?”
MILLICENT: Millie blows on her coffee and sighs. “I’m sorry, doctor. I didn’t mean to insult you. But I was unaware of your background in theology and philosophy. I think they will be very useful to you where we’re going.”
TUELLER: Tueller sips his coffee and watches this progress. It’s worth noting that Tueller has gotten rather portly, though he’s still strong from physical work. His hands are weathered around the coffee cup, which he cups with both hands.
STORY: Dr. Bolano nods. “I’m going to get settled in my quarters. Thank you for the coffee.” She stands and departs.
STORY: Calixta leans against the counter, finishing her coffee. “So. We going to break into the jump relay now, or should we pick up Ryo first?”
MILLICENT: “Good question!”
TUELLER: “I’d…like more of a plan.”
MILLICENT: Millie nods. “I agree.”
MILLICENT: She gestures to the whiteboard.
TUELLER: “I’m not a kicking down doors type of person right now. Or at least, I’m trying not to be.”
TUELLER: “I’m more of a extensive journaler, these days.”
STORY: “Genuinely, I know I’m Ms. No-Plan, but what kind of plan could we make?”
STORY: “We don’t know what’s in there. We don’t even know how to get in, though I think with the docs we have we could make a few good guesses.”
MILLICENT: Millie hands Tueller the whiteboard marker. “You get to play scribe then.”
MILLICENT: She sits down and frowns at the board, thinking.
TUELLER: Tueller takes the marker. “This doesn’t mean my handwriting is good, but okay.”
MILLICENT: Can Millie have figured out what sorts of supplies must be brought from outside to the relays?
STORY: Millie, supplies brought in to do what?
MILLICENT: To keep the staff aboard the relays alive? To continue their work? Are the relays entirely self-sustaining or do they get any supplies delivered?
STORY: Oh, you want to know if there are supply drops, got it. Assessment + Expertise please!
MILLICENT: /roll 2d6 + 2
STORY: josh rolled 9 + 2 = 11
MILLICENT: Let me ask this in a different way. What do we paint on the side of the van so we can drive it into the prison?
STORY: Bad news. From your study of the relay plans, you’re pretty certain it’s entirely self-sustaining, and the only ships that ever dock there are the weird fake dragons. On the up side, you’re pretty sure you understand what modifications you need to make to Peregrine’s docking machinery to make a good seal, and you get a data point for this heist.
MILLICENT: “Okay, let’s start with what we do know.”
MILLICENT: “The relays are a sealed system, nothing needs to go in or out and the only vessels that ever dock are those weird dragon creches. But! I think I’ve figured out what I need to do to our docking mechanism to make a seal. So we should be able to approach and dock.”
TUELLER: “And let’s talk about what you expect on the other side of that seal.”
TUELLER: “The AI overlords that can destroy star systems when they’re pissy are, you believe, using our genetic code to make people that they put on dragon ships and send to planets. Is that right?”
MILLICENT: Millie nods.
TUELLER: “And it’s a good idea for us to go knocking.”
MILLICENT: “There are no records of any civilization ever boarding a relay once it is in use.”
MILLICENT: “Now, does that mean that they’re heavily fortified killing machines or that no one has dared?”
STORY: Calixta, arms crossed, not disagreeing, nods. “Probably both, let’s be honest.”
TUELLER: Tueller sits right down on the floor, in a classic yoga pose, cradling his cup of coffee as he gracefully sets himself down.
MILLICENT: “Yes, okay.”
TUELLER: “This does not seem like the greatest of great ideas.”
MILLICENT: “No, not really.”
MILLICENT: “But we need proof.”
STORY: “And we need to get those kids.”
STORY: “That reminds me, I need to build a nursery. Tueller, you’re in your old room?”
MILLICENT: Millie nods. “And we need to know where all these experiment planets are so they can be liberated.”
TUELLER: “I just got here. I haven’t been issued a bunk yet.”
STORY: Calixta rolls her eyes. “Okay, Zen Guy, you’re in your old room.”
MILLICENT: “Your room is just as you left it.”
TUELLER: Tueller nods. “Okay.”
TUELLER: “No one bothered to claim the second nicest room on the ship this entire time?”
TUELLER: “I’m touched.”
TUELLER: “You keep my gloves, too?”
MILLICENT: “So, we need to get in there and get some intel, some proof, and to rescue any babies that are currently brewing.”
STORY: Calixta opens the junk drawer, takes out Tueller’s gloves, and tosses them to him. “So what else do we need to get onboard?”
STORY: “I assume they’ve got unimaginably beefy cybersecurity.”
STORY: “But you’ve got an AI, so, assuming my brain doesn’t cook, I should be able to get us in eventually.”
MILLICENT: “Well, their plans show restrooms, so we have to assume a small humanoid crew.”
TUELLER: “You think there’s going to be an AI running the joint?”
TUELLER: “Like, one of those weakly godlike AIs?”
MILLICENT: “If there’s an AI presence on board, could we neutralize them somehow?”
STORY: She shrugs. “Maybe?”
STORY: “Probably not very easily?”
STORY: “Anti-AI weapons aren’t exactly my specialty.”
TUELLER: “I just punch things.”
MILLICENT: “Couldn’t we set up our onboard as a honeypot? Maybe it look like our ship’s computer was a simple guidance system, easy to roll over, but once an AI interfaced we could reroute to. I don’t know. Some kind of holding cell? Like how Chandra caught you in the visor, but against their will?”
STORY: Calixta thinks about it. “Hm. It’d have to be good.”
STORY: “But… maybe. It’s worth a try. That’s two projects for me.”
STORY: “Give Tueller something to do.”
MILLICENT: “Tueller, you’re in charge of non-lethal defense.”
TUELLER: Tueller gives Millie a cockeyed confused look.
MILLICENT: “If they have humanoid security we’ll need a way to take them out without killing them.”
STORY: Calixta rolls her eyes.
STORY: “Tueller, how are you with a welding torch?”
TUELLER: “I grew up in a metal can on a moon. I am pretty good with one.”
STORY: “Great! Millie, you do the inside docking modifications, Tueller does outside.”
STORY: “We all keep busy and try not to think about how we’re definitely walking into certain death.”
TUELLER: Tueller smiles. “I haven’t been outside in a long time.”
STORY: “Do we bring Ryo along for the suicide run?”
TUELLER: “Wouldn’t be fair for him to survive when we don’t.”
STORY: “Anyone else we should pick up who doesn’t want to kill you?”
MILLICENT: “Grim, but fair.”
TUELLER: Tueller is silent on that.
MILLICENT: “I think we owe it to Jenny, Kahn, Sweet, and Figgan. And Loll. To tell them what’s going on and see if they want in.”
MILLICENT: “They were there. They saw the start of this. We ought to see if they want a ticket to see the end.”
STORY: “Figgan’s on Io with Ryo and Erwin.”
STORY: “Loll… who knows. You want to take a detour to Mait to get killed before we get killed?”
TUELLER: “I wouldn’t mind seeing her again. Last I heard there was a rumor she was given her own crusade and had gone off to do whatever Maitri do on that. I doubt she’s on Mait, but I doubt we could find her until she wants to hear from us.”
TUELLER: “But leave Sweet alone. He got out. Let him stay out.”
MILLICENT: Millie nods.
STORY: Calixta sucks air through her teeth. “Didn’t they all?”
STORY: “Kahn nearly died.”
STORY: “Jenny hates us.”
TUELLER: Tueller looks pointedly as well.
STORY: “We come to them and say we need their help to rescue a relay full of kids, of course they’re going to come. Should they?”
MILLICENT: “Sounds like that’s a question you haven’t answered for yourself yet.”
MILLICENT: “Is this worth doing?”
STORY: “Of course it is.”
STORY: “But is it worth killing more people for?”
STORY: “I’m gonna say nah. Plus more people means more risk of getting caught. We’re good lean.”
MILLICENT: “I say it’s their decision.”
TUELLER: Tueller looks like he’s struggling how to say something.
MILLICENT: “Tueller, I’m interested in what you think.”
TUELLER: Finally, “Don’t ask them.”
MILLICENT: Millie sighs.
MILLICENT: “Okay.”
MILLICENT: “Ryo?”
TUELLER: “Yeah, he’s part of it. He didn’t go when he could have.”
MILLICENT: “And if he brings Astra and Erwin with him?”
STORY: Calixta shakes her head. “Liabilities.”
MILLICENT: Millie looks at the ceiling for a moment.
STORY: “How in Sol would a kid and a secretary help us, Millie?”
STORY: “I’m barely convinced Captain Business should be allowed onboard.”
MILLICENT: “Probably not more than the marine, the sniper scout, the quartermaster, the engineer, hell, even the astrobiologist or the space violence queen, but we’re leaving all of them behind!”
TUELLER: “Millie, I just want to point out that my suggestion was to tell the governing body of the Ark, the council of sentient beings with multiple armies and police forces and investigative bodies.”
MILLICENT: Millie grips the counter and lets out a breath.
MILLICENT: “I’m sorry, this is. A lot.”
MILLICENT: “Let’s interrogate that idea for a moment, Tueller.”
MILLICENT: “We tell the Ark that the AI collective is stealing every relay traveler’s DNA and inhabiting entire planets with their clones in order to conduct social experiments.”
MILLICENT: “What will they do next?”
MILLICENT: “Considering that their position within the Ark relies on commanding power granted to them from home, through the relays from their home systems.”
MILLICENT: “The Collective takes the relays offline and every single Ark civilization is isolated in an instant.”
MILLICENT: “What would they do?”
TUELLER: “That is the result you’re aiming for as well, is it not?”
MILLICENT: “No, I don’t intend to take proof to the Ark Council.”
MILLICENT: “I’ve been thinking about this for a year.”
TUELLER: Tueller waits patiently.
MILLICENT: “I think we will find the tech needed to broad beam a message through the AI Collective’s communication system. We’re going to send a message through every piece of electronic equipment galaxy wide.”
MILLICENT: “Just like the Collective did when they came to our system. We’re going to use their tech to broadcast our proof to everyone.”
TUELLER: Tueller closes his eyes and breathes regularly for a little bit.
TUELLER: “This is literally messianic, Millie.”
MILLICENT: Millie nods.
STORY: Calixta blows air out of her mouth.
TUELLER: “Except instead of saving the human race you’re now talking about saving the universe.”
MILLICENT: “I. I know it’s big.”
STORY: “I call the one with the sword.”
STORY: “The flaming sword? Right?”
STORY: “I always wanted a flaming sword.”
TUELLER: “The flaming sword was what was used to keep people out of Eden.”
MILLICENT: “Uriel.” Millie says absently.
STORY: “Well this time we’ll let them in with it, smarty pants.”
STORY: “Can we get started?”
MILLICENT: “Only if we’re all on board.”
MILLICENT: She looks to Tueller.
TUELLER: “Sure, we can get started any time. I’m not really convinced, but the things that I’ve been the most confident about have turned out in my life to be some of my biggest mistakes, so sure, I’m on board.”
TUELLER: “I’m at least good at the individual steps of almost everything I do, so just keep me doing useful tasks and we’ll be set.”
STORY: Calixta smiles, lifts Tueller’s hand, and high fives it, doing a little jump.
STORY: “THAT’S enthusiasm!”
STORY: “I’m gonna go build a nursery.”
STORY: She breezes out.
MILLICENT: Millie smiles weakly.
TUELLER: “I’m going out for a walk.”
STORY: You journey to Io!
STORY: It takes a few weeks!
STORY: What’s everyone doing for preparation on the heist of your lives?
TUELLER: Uh, do they mention that to Tueller???
STORY: Mention what?
STORY: Oh hahaha, Io.
STORY: Well, you have to get Ryo, right?
TUELLER: Or just wait until he sees Jupiter?
MILLICENT: I think we definitely warn Tueller
TUELLER: I mean, it’s more fun if you don’t.
MILLICENT: Okay!
TUELLER: HIGH-larious.
STORY: Calixta certainly assumes Tueller knew that “picking up Ryo” meant going to Io.
STORY: Either way, what do you do before you get there?
TUELLER: Tueller does a lot of physical labor around the ship.
STORY: Calixta builds a nursery in the barracks, where she has taken up residence. Dr. Bolano has moved in to Alejo’s old quarters.
STORY: Calixta also works on an AI honeypot, usually during the hours that she’s sleeping.
MILLICENT: Millie does the work to convert the airlocks to something that will work with the relays. Or does the prep necessary to convert. And outlines for Tueller how to do the same outside.
MILLICENT: She helps Noma with the honeypot.
TUELLER: Tueller also does therapy and encourages Noma and Millie to do so as well. Either individually or as a group.
STORY: Last chance to level up before we do the craziest thing any of you have ever done.
TUELLER: Oh yes, Tueller does that as well.
TUELLER: Advancement: Education
STORY: Tueller, what are you subbing that for?
TUELLER: Well, Refine to replace Custom Vehicle for Education.
STORY: Good choice! RIP Gregor Samsa.
TUELLER: Genuine sobs here.
MILLICENT: Millie does some therapy. Slowly, short visits.
STORY: Therapy takes a long time to be effective, so you don’t have any breakthroughs or anything, but you start to build a rapport with Dr. Bolano, Millie
STORY: All right. Millie, give me a Face Adversity + Expertise to see how you do on modding the Peregrine to fit the relay’s dock.
STORY: If needed, Tueller can assist
MILLICENT: /roll 2d6 + 2
STORY: josh rolled 7 + 2 = 9
STORY: Care to Get Involved, Tueller?
TUELLER: Tueller’s been doing mostly physical effort. If I roll, should I roll expertise as well, or Physique?
STORY: Expertise! It’s weightless out there.
TUELLER: /roll 2d6+2
STORY: chris.stuart rolled 7 + 2 = 9
STORY: Tueller, you can finish the work to get these new docking clamps set up perfectly, but on your last spacewalk you encounter a field of debris passing by and it takes out the ship’s escape pods. Only one remains intact!
TUELLER: Man, the escape pods get fucked up all the time.
TUELLER: They’re definitely the most dangerous place to be on Peregrine.
MILLICENT: Yeah.
STORY: Hopefully, no one needs to escape. Also, just as you’re coming in, you see Jupiter in the distance. In the direction you’re pointed. By your estimation, you’re hours away from Io.
TUELLER: Tueller breathes more heavily and regularly than normal, and sits very still with his hands in his lap.
MILLICENT: Millie pats him on the back and slides past him to sit in the captain’s chair on the bridge. She sends a wave to Ryo.
MILLICENT: Encrypted, of course.
STORY: It goes to space-mail.
MILLICENT: “Noma, would you set us on an orbital course of Jupiter?”
STORY: “Roger that.”
MILLICENT: Millie sees if she can pick up the chatter from Io, see if there’s any mention of Ryo or Astra or Erwin.
STORY: Assessment + Interface please!
MILLICENT: /roll 2d6 + 2
STORY: josh rolled 5 + 2 = 7
TUELLER: Tueller hits the intercom. “Doctor Bolano, I’m wondering if you have any coping mechanism advice for how I should handle being in orbit near my hated and evil sister. Because I’m not sure I’m handling it super great right now.”
STORY: “Deep breaths, and remind yourself you’re functionally as close to her now as you have ever been. She can’t do anything to you from here, Tueller. And come on down if you need to talk.”
TUELLER: “Oh definitely, but maybe not just right now. Cheers.”
STORY: Millie, you do pick up some chatter – two guards talking about how they want to ask Astra out, and who’s that kid that’s always following her around.
STORY: They’re definitely both on Io.
MILLICENT: Millie sends a wave to Figgan
STORY: She comes up on the feed. “You’re in the system? Damn, you must have a death wish, girl. What’s up?”
MILLICENT: “Just hoping to talk to Captain Business, but apparently he’s too busy with his quarterly reviews. Have you seen him lately? He and the kid getting on okay?”
STORY: “Ryo? He’s–” The feed cuts out.
STORY: Seconds later, you’re hailed by the Augusta King.
TUELLER: Tueller stands up and walks over and casually sits down at the weapons console, not activating it or anything.
MILLICENT: Millie answers.
STORY: “Peregrine, request docking with the Augusta King, over.” It’s a voice you don’t recognize.
MILLICENT: “Going to have to buy me dinner first, stranger. Identify yourself before docking. Over.”
TUELLER: Tueller pulls impossibly gossamer gloves out of his pocket and slips them onto his hands, where they seem to disappear.
STORY: “Peregrine, this is the Augusta King, and you are in our airspace. Request docking, over.”
TUELLER: Tueller stands up, says, “I’ll prepare the welcoming party,” and walks down to the docking area, putting on docking armor as he does so.
MILLICENT: “Augusta King, identify the name of the humanoid who is speaking. Over.”
STORY: “Uh. I’m Terry? Over?”
MILLICENT: “Hello, Terry. Why do you wish to board? Over.”
STORY: “I’m carrying out orders, Peregrine, and look, I don’t want to belabor the point here but we’re a gunship and you’re in our airspace, please prepare for boarding and don’t make this a pain in the ass, over.”
MILLICENT: “Well, I suppose you’ve left us no choice. Over.”
MILLICENT: On intercom to Tueller, off mic to Augusta King, “Don’t kill anyone, please, but I’m letting them dock. Let me know when you’re ready.”
TUELLER: “Don’t kill anyone? You’re sure?”
STORY: Calixta stands. “We should probably see what this is.”
TUELLER: “Roger, then.”
MILLICENT: “I’m pretty sure we won’t get our crew back if we start out killing people.”
MILLICENT: Millie nods and heads to the airlock.
STORY: There are the usual number of bangs and hisses commensurate with a ship to ship docking procedure, and as Millie and Calixta join Tueller in the cargo bay, the doors open with a long groan and you find yourself standing opposite Esinam Ya’Makasi, flanked by six guards.
STORY: She looks the three of you over.
TUELLER: “Hey sis.”
STORY: And nods, slowly.
STORY: “Hey, little brother.”
STORY: “Appreciate you not coming after me when you were rounding up the ne’er-do-wells.”
STORY: She’s casual.
STORY: Icy. The usual.
TUELLER: “I could pretend it was something other than fear, but that’s basically it.”
STORY: “Mm. Fair enough.”
STORY: “Looking for Ryo?”
TUELLER: “Yep.”
STORY: “Mm. Not here.”
STORY: “He’s on an errand for me.”
TUELLER: “How’s he working out for you?”
STORY: “Decent. It was good to make a hire outside of the family. Maybe I’ll get married after all.”
TUELLER: “I didn’t think you were his type.”
STORY: “Everyone’s his type.”
STORY: “I’ll make this easy for you. Out of gratitude for you not launching a dismal attempt to capture me, I’ll let you leave my airspace. And you,” she looks over to Millie.
STORY: “I owe Ryo exactly one favor. I’m going to go ahead and preemptively cash it in on his behalf and not kill you either.”
STORY: “You…” she gestures to Calixta.
STORY: “You I don’t know.”
STORY: “So whatever. Nice to meet you.”
STORY: “Now get the fuck out of my airspace?”
MILLICENT: Millie nudges Calixta.
STORY: “Nice to meet you too?” Calixta looks confused at the nudge.
MILLICENT: Mouths, “Nice to meet you too.” Nods.
TUELLER: Tueller cavalierly turns his back and walks away from Esi.
STORY: Esinam waves her hands in front of her, shooing you, Millie.
STORY: “Ryo will be back next year. Find another way to get his attention and stay away from my moon.”
MILLICENT: Millie waves, smiles.
STORY: Esinam and her goons return to the Augusta King and close up.
STORY: Calixta smiles broadly. “Tueller, you didn’t tell me your sister was smokin!”
TUELLER: “She’s Ya’Makasi.”
TUELLER: “You should assume we’re all smoking.”
TUELLER: “They.”
TUELLER: “Can we not do that again please?”
MILLICENT: “Well, I hadn’t exactly planned on Terry, your sister, and the goon squad. But to the extent that it’s in my control, sure.”
TUELLER: “This stuff is not as easy for me as I make it look.”
MILLICENT: “I’m sorry I was flip.”
MILLICENT: “I didn’t know that would happen.”
MILLICENT: “Okay, no Ryo. Better for him.”
MILLICENT: “On with it, I think.”
TUELLER: “You’re the captain.”
MILLICENT: “Oh right. On with it!”
MILLICENT: “Let’s go commandeer a relay.”
MILLICENT: “Noma, set a course, if you please. One more night of rest before we begin. As we approach I’ll try to catch any transmissions out that could give us a clue of the kind of schedule they’re operating on.”
STORY: Onward! Here is what I would like to know.
STORY: How do you approach the relay, do you get in line or come at it from a different angle? Do you attempt to hide your approach?
MILLICENT: “I think we ought to get in line, then scramble the communications so the ships all bunch up weird and use the confusion to approach. That should give us some witnesses in case the relay is armed.” Almost quietly, “What do you think?”
TUELLER: Tueller is again fairly passive. “You’re the captain.”
STORY: “I think it sounds good.”
MILLICENT: “Crew, we’ve got a goddamned plan!”
STORY: Ding!
STORY: Millie, let’s have Face Adversity + Interface to do the scramble.
MILLICENT: /roll 2d6 + 2
STORY: josh rolled 8 + 2 = 10
STORY: Nice! Everyone’s radar is all fucky, and you slide on over to the side of the relay without anyone catching you. You approach the dock.
STORY: Calixta, using the computer-bound side of herself to aid in the docking, glides Peregrine in to the all-but-hidden dock on the side of one of the large arcing curves of the relay. You hear a satisfying click.
STORY: She turns to the two of you. “I recommend boarding armor, we can’t be sure their life support is active and I need time to get the honeypot going anyway. I’ll catch up as soon as I can.”
STORY: “Don’t get killed before I get there, okay?”
TUELLER: Tueller stands at the ready by the dock, in docking armor and peaking around a bulkhead.
TUELLER: “We’ll save getting killed until you can join us, dear.”
TUELLER: The “dear” just slips out.
STORY: “That’s my boy.”
MILLICENT: Millie lumbers up in boarding armor. “Can you double check this? I feel like my ass is hanging in the breeze.”
TUELLER: Tueller pats her down and checks the armor quickly and efficiently.
TUELLER: He surreptitiously corrects three fatal mistakes, and says, “No, you’re good.”
STORY: Millie, you’re standing with your butt pointed at Tueller, your tall friend squatting a bit peering down to make sure the seal is good, when the door to the relay slides open instantly and without a sound.
TUELLER: “Just try to take rounds to the chest. That’s where it’s thickest.”
STORY: Inside, you see bright sterile lights, a high-ceilinged and empty bay much like your own, only cleaner, sleeker, and with a single man inside in a tan jumpsuit holding a mop, just removing it from a bucket of water.
STORY: Alejo Soto turns to look at you, his brow furrowed, mouth hanging just slightly open. He tilts his head.