“ Well that was 25 kilicks. We hit the boarder in a bit and then a new escort takes over. only about 75 more to go. “
Welcome to the boarder.
The convoy makes it to the boarder without further incident.
WELCOME TO RENDOVA!
You can see three small tanks off to the left. They are going to be part of your escort.
Hamilton, You meet your driver for this leg. Rather talkative chap named Geraldo.
Hamilton asked, "WOW, do we really Need tanks? Geez!"
Geraldo replies, "Nah. But we heard about your trip here so the government isn't screwing around. It's more of a message really. ". He goes on to say that there have been rumors that a large mineral deposit has been found. And that's why this vote is so important. If the alliance dissolves then the mining companies will be in a scramble. It's to their benefit the vote fails.
As you get underway Hamilton discovers how very chatty Geraldo is. He has never been off world and asks lots of questions. "How did you join your crew? How long have you been a spacer? What is your job? How many planets have you been to? "
"I'm from Regina."
BTW, this is what the convoy looks like. I am using standing toys for the actual thing.
Troop transport
The trucks themselves.
The convoy comes to a halt. The order of the convoy is: a military truck, a small tank, (with a chain gun turret not a cannon) your truck, and then the rest of the convoy. The convoy stops and a military motorcycle rides up. There has been a car explosion up ahead. Traffic is stopped. Indeed, you can see smoke in the distance. The guy on the motorcycle is a military police. He says, “You’ll have to make a right onto highway 30. We are blocking it off now. Follow the lead vehicles.”
As the convoy turns off, Hamilton decides to ask his own questions. “So are you just a driver? or are you a miner too? who do You work for?”
“Nah I’m just a driver. I’m an independent as opposed to those guys who drive for a union or company. Which is why I got hired to make this drive. But I do know a lot of other drivers. There supposedly has been a big find. And whoever can exploit it can make TRILLIONS!. A big deposit of lanthanum.” OOC a key component of of jump drives. The hull is laced with it in a grid which allows the ship to jump.
“so…if the vote doesn’t get done, the deposit can be exploited and this planet(?) will makes trillions? or an independent miner or contractor like person can make the creds…”
“It depends on which party comes out on top. Someone, somewhere is going to make cash.”
"And do You have a...'claim' in all this?"
“A land claim? No. But we all have a steak in what happens with the vote. The result will decide who benefits. Needless to say, there are some corporations who are salivating to exploit this.”
“who stands to gain the most?”
“Well that all depends. If Rendova, which is the country we are in now, votes to remain in the coalition, they can form a better economic power block. But if it doesn’t, then each country would have to make their own deal. Some countries are in a better position than others. So really, it would benefit the people to vote yes and the mega corporations to vote no. It would seem simple but, many citizens of Rendova are employed by these same corporations. The employees would benefit at the expense of others.”
“Oh look, there’s our off ramp. Almost there.”
“finally”
The police have blocked off side streets and cleared the way, you all arrive at your destination.
It's a bit anticlimactic. The officals come out, Leoso opens the trucks and unloading comences. Papers are signed and you're done.
Sir Freddy is staying along with most of the scouts. One of them is going back to the starport with you.
"Ah, you will need these documents to get across the boarder and back to the spaceport. Good luck. Hope to see you again."
"Yes, let's get the hell outta here."
Its not bleeding but it hurts.
Once you get on the freeway traffic is stopped. There is a full blown riot up ahead.
You are in an unmarked car but it has what passes for diplomatic plates. There's a government driver, a scout, and you and Leoso (mr evil)
You can see a police car on fire with smoke rising ahead. The people seem to be scattering.
“Hmm, I think we may have to take the long way around.”
Fortunately, there are no rioters close by.
The driver says,” Let be back up, there’s a ramp over there. I’ll take Garston Ave to Baltar and see if we can get there.”
The driver gets the car to the boarder in record time. Once there, Hamilton and his associates have to wait for transportation back to the star port. While going through customs they catch the news. In local and in standard Galangic. (Galangic is the common language of the Empire. But there are some regional differences and many planets have a language that evolved from whatever the first settlers spoke.)
There is a mad rush to get to the star port. People are trying to get the hell out of here as they can see trouble coming. The scout service has asked the Imperial Ambassador to bring in the Marines.
The election is not for two more weeks as Hamilton and his team have brought in the voting machines. However, people seem to feel big trouble is coming and are looking to flee the planet.
As the driver points out, "People are worried that the violence will escalate. There's been talk of various factions beefing up their army and hiring mercs. "
As the team is waiting, several soldiers approach them. The lead one speaks up. “I believe you are from the ship that delivered the cargo no? I am colonel Di Sara of the Rendovan army. I would ask a favor of you for which you will be compensated. We do not have reconnaissance ability beyond our boarders. We have a few crude rockets, by your standards, for satellite launches but they have been met by counter measures. We, that is my government, would ask that you fly a course of two two zero upon leaving the star port. Take a few pictures and then transmit them to us at this frequency. (hands you some papers) We have reason to believe a rival government is using this valley as a staging area for mercenary troops. But we fear we cannot prove it until too late.”
Leoso says, “I’d have to check with my boss. (he turns to Hamilton) Mr. Creek is at the star port dealing with the insurance people about the Celine Ventoux. I buzzed him when we made planetfall but haven’t heard from him since. I don’t know if he finalized the sale of the Galaxina with Captain Garson. My comlink may not be working. Do you have yours Hamster?”
'yup. Let me see if I can get him...'
“Creek here, what can I do for you Mr. Leeds?
Hamilton explains what the colonel has requested. "Sounds dodgey to me. Like we'd be taking A side instead of staying neutral. Your call boss."
The scout with you speaks up and says, “As long as its just photographs or other images, it’s kosher. Plus, if there are off world assets, then that is evidence that the navy and marines could use to intervene depending. There are limits as to what you can import for these sorts of occurrences."
“you get all that Mr. Creek?”
“I think we can accommodate them. Go ahead and finalize and get back here asap. We need to leave. We’ve got out bound cargo for the Vanday and we’ve sent messaged to line up more cargo.”
Colonel DiSara hands you the info of the specific area they want looked at. As well as 20,000 cr in cash in a small packet. It’s labeled as small packet transportation. Additionally, he has arranged for transportation back to your ship.
You arrive back in less than an hour with Mr. Creek already there.
As soon as you are on board,
"Mr. Leeds, start your preflight check."
Needless to say, everyone is in high gear to get off this planet. Captain Garson is staying on as crew for a jump or two.
Take off is normal.
“Marastan departure this is Merchant ship Galaxina, request course change to heading two two zero over.”
“Galaxina, this is Marastan departure you are clear for course change two two zero, break for orbit at that course. Notify at five zero thousand over.”
As the ship changes heading and begins to climb Mr Creek has ex captain Garson use the sensors and they spot something and take a few pictures.
“Hmm, it looks like an armored battalion of grav tanks!! Wow, this is a clear violation. Someone is going to be very interested in this indeed.”
PING!!!
“I have an active sensor contact. Someone is trying to establish a radar lock on us! Mr. Leeds, I need as much power as you can give us thirty seconds ago!! Screw the wind up course, we are going straight up!!”
"I’ll give her all she’s Got Captain!"
You’ve managed to increase power plant out put to 110%
“Hey, tracking something. We have a contact at our six. Some sort of missile and its heading for us.”
uh oh
As you break for orbit you hear “ Ahahahahhaa we’ve outrun it.”
“Excellent. Mr Leeds, get us ready for jump asap.”
and JUMP!
two days later while you are at your station..
X30: UNKNOWN FAULT. Non critical. Maintenance should be performed before using.
After informing the captain, the captain asks, "Any idea what the fault is?"
"Got me. It's a non specific."
Garson says,”X30 is a fuel issue. Scoops, purifier system. We didn’t use them on planet and kept the system closed. Leoso and I did the preflight and they were closed. But, it is possible something got in there.”
“Or someone…”
“Dammit. Hamster, you and Leoso suit up and check it out.”
Garson interrupts, “There’s an access panel in the cargo hold. That way you don’t have to go in through the lower engineering crawlway. I’ll be down in a second to show you.”
