Operation Grievance: Onward to Abin

Onward to Abin Part 2

Cast of Characters (I-Con Squad):
Icond (INIS Squad Leader)
-Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Ignores Col. Janice Mehlberg.
Janice Mehlberg (Imperium Marine Colonel-Retired)
-Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Rival of Icond.
Chance Morgenstern (INIS Agent-Retired)
-Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Admires Dr. Slager.
Dr. Merrick Slager (Scholar/Team Doctor-Retired)
-Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Secretly hates Col. Janice.
Ritch Duhart (INIS Agent-Retired)
-Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Inseparable buddy of Chance.

…..............

Current Adventure: Operation Grievance
Dates: 309-1122 to 340-1122
Subsector/Sector Location: Sosie/Glimmerdrift Reaches

309-1122

Onboard Events: Week 2

In-Game Reaction Roll (SOLO p. 19): Col. Janice [2d6=10] – none

GM Note: I like to use the In-Game Reaction Roll for lulls in action, especially during jump week. The Colonel is not a fan of Icond and really despises his condescending attitude toward her. Dr. Slager also secretly hates her, so these character reactions can build some group conflict. Col. Janice makes her roll, so no event.

Onboard Event Check: none

316-1122

Onboard Events: Week 3

Onboard Event Check: none

In-Game Reaction Roll (SOLO p. 19): none made for this week


323-1122

Onboard Events: Week 4

Onboard Event Check: Engineering issue

A component failure on the ship's maneuver drive will require repairs. Captain Hargis orders the crew to make the repairs in deep space since the component is available, and he has complete confidence in his Engineer. The Igraine drops out of warp, and the crew begins repairing the maneuver drive. This will cause a one week delay in the trip to Abin in order to complete the repairs.

In-Game Reaction Roll (SOLO p. 19): Dr. Merrick Slager [2d6=6] – fail

Dr. Slager is dealing with a high level of stress due to personal reasons as well as the long confinement associated with interstellar space travel. He has been taking tranquilizers to deal with his anxiety, but recently has started taking far more than he should. His addiction is getting worse.

330-1122

Repairs are completed, and the Igraine gets underway for the last week at warp to the Abin System.
Onboard Events: [d66=32] – typical trip/no issues

337-1122

System Arrival: Abin

Ship Encounter: none

Starport Encounter: The I-Con Squad disembarks from the Igraine, and takes a shuttle to the planet's surface. The team is met by their Imperium Naval Intelligence Service (INIS) contact, Parth Faizel. Parth serves as the official INIS Liaison officer to the government of Abin. Parth informs the I-Con Squad that they will be meeting with Independence Movement (IM) Allied Forces Leaders and staff in three days, including General Zaq Ronan, the Abin Armed Forces Supreme Commander.

World Encounters: Phase 1

The team decides to take in a little R&R before their meeting. The team makes its way to Chef Kyofunoko's Famous Flaming Pit, a culinary legend in the Sosie Subsector. After dining, the team makes its way to a nightclub located next to Chef Kyofunoko's.

World Encounter Check: [d66=66] – offworlder in a spot of trouble

The team is approached by a well-dressed man of noble character. He introduces himself as Lord Riku Wafiya of Taglia. Icond is a little familiar with the history of Taglia, which is also located in the Sosie Subsector. He has heard of the Wafiya Royal Family, but is unfamiliar with Lord Riku. Lord Riku is friendly, but unfortunately suffers with a nervous tic that makes him look like he is constantly looking over his shoulder. Ritch leans over to Chance and whispers, “Looks like someone thinks he's being followed. Keep your eyes open.” Chance nods his head in agreement. Lord Riku pulls up a chair and joins the group at their table, as if he has known them all his life. Dr. Slager gives Icond an uneasy look, and Icond returns a reply with a conciliatory nod. All of the sudden, Lord Riku stops talking, and fixes his gaze on Dr. Slager. In a monotone, but eerily calm voice he says, “If you are approached by someone who makes you an offer to refresh your purity, I suggest you take it, Merrick.” Dr. Slager stares in stunned silence thinking, “how does he know my name?” Suddenly, Lord Riku dismisses himself, and turns to leave. All of the I-Con Squad members stare at one another in disbelieve. After a moment, the shock wears off and the team decides to call it an evening. Dr. Slager returns to his room, and reaches for his bottle of tranquilizers. He hesitates, then slowly places the cap back on the bottle. As he lays his head on his pillow, he mutters softly, “I am going to do it.”

340-1122

World Encounter: Phase 2

The team meets with Abin officials at a military complex located near the starport. Thinking the team would be making its way to Lindran, Icond is surprised to hear their next mission involves searching for an artifact within the city of Dakala, the capital of Abin. It turns out the artifact isn't just an ancient relic, but an ancient artifact fitted with a decoding chip used to decipher intelligence messages of the 3 Fists Triumvirate (3FT).
The I-Con Squad learns that 3FT operatives are still quite active on Abin. Intelligence services on Abin have been monitoring recent chatter between 3FT operatives that indicate something has gone wrong within their network. A recently captured and interrogated 3FT operative has revealed the 3FT's network uses a deciphering device that is embedded within an ancient medallion. The medallion was recently stolen by a local criminal network that operates within Dakala. The operative does not believe the criminal network is aware of the hidden deciphering chip. She knows they deal in stolen artifacts which are sold to private collectors on Abin and elsewhere in the Sosie Subsector. Her mission was to kill the 3FT agent that lost the medallion, then seek out those who stole it and deal with them accordingly. Her capture by Abin Intelligence Services (AIS) means she will be marked for death by the 3FT, so she is seeking asylum and a reduced sentence by cooperating with AIS. The AIS desperately wants to get its hand on the deciphering device. This would greatly assist them in their effort to remain free from 3FT tyranny.
The I-Con Squad's mission is to recover the medallion before it gets into the hands of a private collector or goes off-world.

GM Note: I decided to break the World Encounters Check (SOLO p. 58) into phases. The group will be killing time until there meeting with the military commanders of the Independence Movement, so I conducted an encounter check before the meeting. The meeting with IM commanders will take the place of an encounter check dice roll in phase 2. I used the One Page Solo Engine's (OPSE) Plot Hook Generator to create the mission. I find the combination of the OPSE with SOLO makes it easier for me to create a more detailed narrative. I jot down the roll results in a notebook, then type up the narrative later. Not exactly the same as playing with a GM, but still a satisfying experience that is quite fun.
In the next update, I will be using SOLO 2E from this point onward.

SOLO Campaign - Operation Grievance Part 2

Cast of Characters (I-Con Squad):

Icond (INIS Squad Leader)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Ignores Col. Janice Mehlberg.

Janice Mehlberg (Imperium Marine Colonel-Retired)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Rival of Icond.

Chance Morgenstern (INIS Agent-Retired)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Admires Dr. Slager.

Dr. Merrick Slager (Scholar/Team Doctor-Retired)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Secretly hates Col. Janice.

Ritch Duhart (INIS Agent-Retired)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Inseparable buddy of Chance.

…..............

GM Note: I have decided to incorporate an alternate star drive from Cepheus Engine SRD to replace the jump drive rule in Cepheus Light. I will be using the warp drive option found on p.97 of the Cepheus Engine SRD from Moon Toad Publishing. Jump distances are the number of parsecs that can be crossed in a week's time at maximum warp. I like the warp drive concept better than the original jump drive system of Traveller.

Current Adventure: Operation Grievance

Date: 295 - 1122

Subsector/Sector Location: Sosie/Glimmerdrift Reaches

System: Firenzi

295 – 1122

Prepare to Leave Starport: Routine with no issues. The 100 ton Scout Ship, I-Con, is ready to go.

Starport Encounter: none

Board Starship/Departure/Ship Encounter: The Light Patrol Craft, Tentacle (200 ton) needs assistance and makes a request for civilian parts. A routine request that occurs from time to time. The I-Con has the parts and the two ships dock to make the transfer.

Jump: Firenzi to Vassal at Warp 2 with no issues

Onboard Events: Icond conducts a shipboard training seminar to familiarize the team with the ins and outs of operating a starship. Although the team will be leaving the scout ship at Vassal, the training will come in handy if the team finds itself needing to operate a starship in the near future.

Enter New System/Check for Encounter: The I-Con arrives at Vassal after a week of travel in warp. Radio chatter in-system indicates the 50 ton mining cutter, Diamond Star has a medical emergency. Their ship's doctor is severally ill. Dr. Merrick volunteers to assist. While onboard the mining cutter, Dr. Merrick discovers the vessel's crew belong to a faction that is loyal to the Republic of Krax (ROK). Although the faction is pro-3FT, they have begrudgingly accepted the situation with the systems that chose to leave the ROK. After all, business must go on. The doctor treats the Diamond Star's doctor, and she should make a full recovery.

Starport Encounter: Upon arrival at Basira Starport on Vassal, the team witnesses the crew of a free trader being arrested. They later learn the free trader was also seized as evidence. Looks like a smuggling operation was caught in the act.

On-Planet Activity: Vassal is an asteroid belt located at the endpoint of a major trade route that exists between several systems of the Sosie Subsector. Far traders, free traders, and frontier supply ships use the class A starport, Basira, as a jump off point for delivering goods to frontier and backwater systems. Merchant traffic is booming, so smuggling operations are exceptionally high in this region. Three large asteroids are home to three major cities located in the Vassal system. Basira is the largest, with Chibueze being second, and Venkat City being third. A mining consortium exists on Chibueze, operated by the Chibueze Mining Cooperative. Venkat City is the gambling center of the subsector, comparable to twenty-first century Las Vegas on Terra.

Resolve the Plan: The team is scheduled to meet Vassal officials during their week-long stay. While visiting the Basira Starport entertainment district, the group meets a fellow traveler. He initially seems very interested in the group, and even hints at needing to hire someone for an important delivery. Before the group can even respond, the patron suddenly loses interest in the team and quickly heads out the door of the restaurant bar. “I wonder what that was all about?,” quips Ritch. “Who cares?,” was Icond's reply. “We have more important business to attend.”

Later on, the group meets with their Vassal contacts and an INIS field agent. The I-Con Squad will be traveling aboard the supply ship, Igraine, as passengers. The Igraine is a Frontier Trader in the 300 ton class. Traveling only at Warp 1, it will take four weeks to reach Abin at maximum warp. The team will be contacted by Abin officials upon their arrival. On Abin, they will be updated about the current situation on Lindran. Current conditions will be a determining factor with regards to finalizing the mission plan. The INIS field agent encourages his comrades to enjoy the trip and get some rest. “You're all going to need it,” was his departing reply.  Chance smiles and says, “At least we get to travel first-class on the INIS's dime.” "Yeah, and it sure beats sleeping in the freezer,” was Ritch's glib reply to Chance's comment. The phrase, “sleeping in the freezer” is a slang term for traveling in a low berth compartment. Colonel Janice rolls her eyes with a slight sigh of disgust in response to both of the retired INIS agents' comments.

GM Notes: none

302-1122

Prepare to Leave Starport: Board the Igraine

Starport Encounter: As the I-Con Squad approaches the supply ship, they cannot help but overhear the irate Captain barking complaints at his cargo loading crew. Later on, the group discovers that 20% of the cargo has been damaged beyond salvage. Icond learns the damaged cargo was important ship replacement parts destined for Independent Navy starships making repairs after their recent battles with Republic of Krax warships. A rumor is going around the Igraine that the 3FT was involved and the accidental damage was actually sabotage. At this time it is just a rumor.

Board Starship/Departure/Ship Encounter: none

Jump: successfully achieves maximum warp with no issues

Onboard Events: Week 1: The group settles into their staterooms and take it easy for the first two days. During a gathering in the ship's recreation area, a fellow passenger tells Colonel Janice she noticed a weapon in the stateroom of another passenger. She was in his room for a nightcap last night, and spotted it in a partially open desk near the lavatory. She initially did not think anything about it, but after thinking about the incident with the damaged cargo before departure, she thought she needed to say something. “Why didn't you go straight to the Captain?,” the Colonel asked. “I was going to, but right before I reached the bridge, I spotted the passenger with the gun talking to a crewman near the bridge.” I did not want to go near him, so I headed to the recreation area.” Colonel Janice could tell she was terrified by the non-stop trembling of her hands. The young female passenger was obviously an ordinary citizen who has never had to deal with a situation like this in her past. The Colonel calmly reassures the female passenger that she will report the matter immediately to the Captain, and encourages her to stay with the large group gathered in the recreation area. The Colonel notifies her fellow team members of the situation, and the group makes its way to bridge. Colonel Janice informs the first officer of a potential threat onboard and he immediately takes the group to see the Captain.

The I-Con Squad volunteers to assist the Captain and crew of the Igraine to locate the now missing passenger. Captain Hargis agrees. The team member's weapons are released from the ship's locker and given to each of them.  Ship's security will search the inhabited portions of the ship, while the I-Cond Squad will search the forward cargo hold area. Upon the team's arrival to the forward cargo hold section, Icond hears the swoosh sound of a closing iris valve just down the cargo hold corridor. The group quietly approaches and listens at the door, but hears nothing. “Weapons ready,” Icond whispers to the team members. He activates the iris valve, and the group enters forward cargo hold A. As the valve closes behind them, there is no sound. Scanning the area, the team spots no movement either. The group moves forward cautiously down the narrow aisle between stacks of cargo reaching toward the top of the cargo hold. As Colonel Janice moves about 6 meters, a gun blast fires out from behind a stack of crates. The Colonel is hit, but somehow stays on her feet. She quickly snaps off a double tap in the direction of the muzzle flash. A loud groan is heard, and a body slumps to the floor. Dr. Merrick quickly advances to the slumped body and secures the individual's weapon. The rest of the team surrounds the unconscious man, with weapons trained upon him. The wounded passenger awakens to find five gun barrels pointed at him. The team takes him into custody and heads off to find the Captain.

The Captain, ship's security, and the I-Con Squad interrogate the passenger in the security section of the Igraine. The Captain and security officers get nothing out of him, so Icond and Ritch try their hand at questioning him. They also fail to get the passenger to say anything. The Captain pulls aside Icond and tells him to feel free to use ANY means necessary to get him to talk. Although Icond is tempted, he refuses to use extreme methods to get the passenger's mouth to open. The Captain is not happy, but doesn't press the issue. The passenger is thrown into the brig, or at least that is what the Captain has told the I-Con Squad. Icond wonders if that is really the case.

GM Note: The Captain has kept his word, and the prisoner is not harmed or interrogated any further. Captain Hargis will leave that matter to officials on Abin. If this passenger is a spy, he won't receive kind treatment at the hands of IM Security Services. “Oh, he'll talk,” the Captain quietly chuckles to himself. “Or die trying.”

Up Next: Onboard Events: Week 2

SOLO Campaign - Operation Grievance Introduction

 

3FT SOLO Campaign #2 – Mission Introduction

I'm using Stellagama's Cepheus Light, Zozer's SOLO, and the One Page Solo Engine by Inflatable Studios for this campaign. SOLO uses a scene resolution mechanic called "The Plan.” The One Page Solo Engine (OPSE) will be used in place of The Plan mechanic. I may still utilize The Plan from time to time in this campaign. The OPSE is not needed to play Zozer's SOLO, but I like to use it as a means of creating more details to go beyond The Plan mechanic. My last 3FT campaign, The Dean Team, worked great using just SOLO.

My campaign utilizes the Classic Traveller setting, occurring shortly after the start of the Fifth Frontier War in 1107. Beyond 1107, everything becomes non-canonical. I am also using Judges Guild's Glimmerdrift Reaches for this campaign, which is no longer part of the Traveller Canon.

Background Info:

The Imperium's Naval Intelligence Service (INIS) has activated its Special Branch Unit to be inserted into the Sosie Subsector. Recently, four systems within the Republic of Krax (ROK) have declared their independence from the ROK. These systems have formed an alliance with the independent systems of the Sosie Subsector. Various news agencies, including the Travellers' Aid Society have dubbed it the “Independence Movement” (IM).

The 3 Fists Triumvirate (3FT) has been slow to respond due to their consolidation of power at the center of the systems they control. An increase of 3FT agent activity has been recently detected by agents of the INIS. Numerous 3FT agents are being reported on Lindran. The citizenry of Lindran are getting restless again, and a political movement calling for Lindran's return to the ROK is growing. INIS officials believe the growing discontent means the 3FT has already established a fifth column within the IM on Lindran. A tactic they used with great success to gain control of the Krax Confederation.

I-Con Squad's mission is to counter the ROK's fifth column operation. Code-named, “Operation Grievance,” the I-Con Squad will be operating within the Independent Systems of the Sosie subsector to monitor 3FT activities. The squad is to destroy any cells and/or members they encounter. Officially, the Imperium will disavow the I-Con Squad if they are caught by the 3FT. Officials of the IM understand the covert nature of the mission , and seek to keep the Imperium's involvement a secret. They will also disavow the I-Con Squad if the team is caught by the 3FT.

Icond and his team recently arrived on Firenzi, a system located along a major trade route of the Independent Systems of the Sosie Subsector. Although surplus Imperium scout ships are common throughout the Glimmerdrift Reaches, the ISS I-Con is well known to the ruling members of the 3 Fists Triumvirate and their security services. The I-Con will take the squad as far as Vassal, then the team will board a supply ship bound for Abin to meet up with IM Defense Forces to make plans to address the situation on Lindran.

Cast of Characters (I-Con Squad):

Icond (INIS Squad Leader)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Ignores Col. Janice Mehlberg.

Janice Mehlberg (Imperium Marine Colonel-Retired)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Rival of Icond.

Chance Morgenstern (INIS Agent-Retired)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Admires Dr. Slager.

Dr. Merrick Slager (Scholar/Team Doctor-Retired)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Secretly hates Col. Janice.

Ritch Duhart (INIS Agent-Retired)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Inseparable buddy of Chance.

Up Next: Heading to Abin

SOLO Campaign-Dean Team Part 6

SOLO Campaign-Dean Team Part 6

Current Adventure: Infiltrate

Date: 222 - 1120

Subsector/Sector Location: Williamsburg/Glimmerdrift Reaches

Cast of Characters (Dean Team):

Dean Halvaard (Force Commander)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Considers Keter an enemy.

Striker Anderson (Major)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Considers Dean a rival.

Jansen Trueblood (First Lieutenant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Admires Kilgar.

Keter Lancel (Lance Sergeant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Friendship with Dean through guilt.

Kilgar Plenson (Lance Sergeant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Knows about Striker's gambling problem.

Kyle Rheimer (Lance Sergeant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Likes to ridicule Jansen.

222-1120 Jeffer-Scott System

World Encounter: Local peasant uprisings in the area of the starport has placed restrictions on movement. The Dean Team remains at the starport.

GM Note: The tedium and boredom of the travel restrictions have caused a breakdown in discipline within the Dean Team. Kyle's carelessness using a computer at the starport public terminal has resulted in data not being deleted from the computer. This data gives evidence of the group's presence on Jeffer-Scott.

229 - 1120

Prepare for Depature: The Free Enterprise prepares for its departure from Jeffer-Scott. The far trader's itinerary has the crew traveling to Spalding to deliver machinery parts.

System Travel to Jump Point: no events/encounters

Jump: uneventful

System Arrival: uneventful

236 - 1120

Arrival: Spalding System

Starport Encounter: The Dean Team is introduced to Ilar Xenith by a crew member of the Free Enterprise. A fellow ally against the 3FT who is recruited by the Dean Team.

World Encounter: Dust storms on Spalding.

In-game Reaction: Kyle loses his temper with the group in front of a large crowd at the starport. Several citizens recorded the event on their comm devices.

GM Note: The groups is doing a poor job of traveling incognito. The 3FT spy who is tailing the group is falling behind. His attempt to board a starship traveling to Spalding has failed. He eventually finds a private yacht and secures passage. He is still a week's travel behind the Dean Team; however, it will not be difficult to pick up the trail due to the group's horrible attempts to cover their trail.

243 - 1120

Dean Halvaard realizes the team has done an exceptionally poor job of traveling incognito. He calls a group meeting and attempts to rally the troops. The team members agree with Dean, and recommit to behave accordingly.

The crew of the Free Enterprise prepares for its journey to Rinma. The ship's cargo has been loaded and the flight plan logged with starport officials.

System Travel to Jump Point: The far trader is hailed by the mercenary cruiser, Claymore. The merc cruiser has been hired to monitor ships in the Spalding system. Sensor log information is exchanged and the Free Enterprise is cleared to proceed.

Jump: A ship malfunction occurs during jump travel. A gas build up in the ship's power plant poses a danger to the crew. Kyle is able to fix a glitch in the ship's venting program that was causing the venting system to act erratically. The gas build up is easing.

Arrival: The far trader arrives at Rinma.

The Dean Team has now entered enemy territory, the Republic of Krax.

Starport Encounter: The captain of the Free Enterprise is approached by a potential client. The merchant has several vacc suits she would like to sell. After a bit of negotiating, the captain and merchant cannot agree to a price. A deal cannot be reached.

World Encounter: Striker is approached by a person wanting him to transport a special item to a location on Rinma. The package is NOT legal, but Striker cannot resist the opportunity to make a quick CR1000. Striker's attempt to deliver is met with resistance. A short brawl ensues, with Striker receiving a minor injury. His opponent lies unconscious on the ground. Why did this person not want the package? No answer is forthcoming from the sender after Striker returns the undelivered item to him. Striker walks away bruised, confused, and with no CR1000.

The Free Enterprise is without cargo to deliver to Linmar. The captain searches the starport for merchants seeking shipment of cargo. Success! The far trader has found goods to transport to Linmar.

Prepare for Departure: The Free Enterprise prepares for its departure to Linmar. The crew is approached by a woman seeking passage to Linmar. The far trader has a cabin available, and the woman offers to pay 10% more than normal passage price due to the short notice. The captain accepts her generous offer without hesitation.

GM Note: The Dean Team is caught off guard by the captain's acceptance of the last-minute passenger. Dean's talk with his team members has proven useful. The Dean Team is cautious with this unknown passenger, and that will be important since this passenger is actually a 3FT spy trailing the group. Dean meets with the captain and discusses the need to be on guard with this unknown passenger. The captian agrees and the crew is on its best behavior.

System Travel to Jump Point: no events/encounters

Jump: uneventful

System Arrival: The far trader encounters the Divine Delta, a 150 ton yacht. Communications involves general information about the previous system, Rinma. Nothing unusual.

Starport Encounters: none

World Encounters: none

GM Note: The far trader acquires cargo for its next destination. The crew spends the week on Linmar preparing for its next departure. The Dean Team goes about its duties while keeping an eye on their new passenger who has decided to continue her travels to the far trader's next destination, the Estin System. Is she a spy? The team is not sure, but since they are in enemy territory the chances are quite good.

SOLO Campaign-Dean Team Part 5

Current Adventure: Infiltrate
Date: 173 - 1120
Subsector/Sector Location: Tri-Empire/Glimmerdrift Reaches
Cast of Characters (Dean Team):
Dean Halvaard (Force Commander)
 Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Considers Keter an enemy.
Striker Anderson (Major)
 Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Considers Dean a rival.
Jansen Trueblood (First Lieutenant)
 Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Admires Kilgar.
Keter Lancel (Lance Sergeant)
 Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Friendship with Dean through guilt.
Kilgar Plenson (Lance Sergeant)
 Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Knows about Striker's gambling problem.
Kyle Rheimer (Lance Sergeant)
 Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Likes to ridicule Jansen.


173-1120 Bakcyon to Macelight on board the CSS Hawk
Jump: Uneventful

180 - 1120
New System: Macelight (Tri-Empire/Glimmerdrift Reaches)

The team encounters starport security. The group is escorted to a separate room and their IDs are checked. The team members are released with no further issues.
The team notices an individual they had spotted at Bakcyon. He has followed them to Macelight. A coincidence? Not likely, since Striker noticed the agent has been tailing them since their arrival at the asteroid belt. That evening, the group meets in a hotel room at the starport to create a plan. The group decides to head out and tour the underground complex of Macelight. Macelight is home to a large mining operation, and the mining complex houses several shops, restaurants, and drinking establishments for the one million inhabitants of the asteroid belt. During the group's tour of the complex, they notice the same individual following them at a distance. Definitely an agent. Is it a 3FT agent? The group finds a section of back alleys located behind the entertainment district. These dimly lit alleyways are service corridors. As planned earlier, the group sets up an ambush for the tailing agent. After about an hour wait, the group does not encounter the agent. As the group heads back to the starport hotel, they notice a couple of security officers making their rounds through the service corridors. Dean smiles and waves to them, and the security officers return to the greeting. A brief discussion ensues, and the group convinces the security officers they had lost their way back to the starport hotel. The officers give them directions, and they return to the hotel complex without further incident. There is no sign of the individual who has been tailing them. Maybe he spotted the security officers and decided to break off the pursuit?

187 - 1120
The team is delayed one week due to technical issues at the starport. The week is uneventful and the agent tailing the group has not been spotted since the previous week.

194 - 1120
Security issues at Macelight starport
(security check: Law Level check [6]; 2d6=8; Dean Team passes security check)
Travel off-system is delayed 1 week.

201 - 1120
Macelight - Gaucho (Williamsburg/Glimmerdrift Reaches)
Jump prep: no events. The team is now able to proceed to its next destination
Jump: no events

208 - 1120
Arrive in the Gaucho system
Jansen is robbed of 800CR. The group does a little reconnaissance and discovers a band of thieves operating near the starport. The team spends a couple of days in surveillance, and locates an area frequented by the thieves. The group sets up an ambush. The ambush ends as quickly as it started. The thief escapes and injures Striker with a slash from a knife. Nothing serious, but first-aid is required.
A valuable piece of information is gathered during the week layover on Gaucho. The team spots the agent who has been tracking them since Bakcyon. They discover the agent will be traveling aboard the subsidized merchant, Tiger's Eye.

215 - 1120
Prejump: The group has created a fake itinerary for the Hawk, that states the scout ship is headed to the Sao system to deliver scout service dispatches. The group leaves them in a starport restaurant where they have spotted the agent sitting nearby. They try to make it look like the papers accidentally drop under the table as they are getting up to leave.
Jump: Gaucho to Jeffer-Scott
During the trip, the computer aboard the Hawk malfunctions. The jump drives and program routines for jump travel are unaffected, but several error codes are appearing in one subroutine of the navigation system. Kyle, the group's computer expert, discovers a virus in the navigation program. The jump coordinates are being logged in a tracking program that can be accessed from any starport terminal. A confirmation that the group is likely being followed by a 3FT agent. Kyle removes the virus, and hopefully the false travel itinerary and virus removal will end the tracking by the spy.

GM NOTE: As the Dean Team suspects, the group is being followed by a 3FT agent. The agent is not fooled by the fake itinerary and realizes he has been made. He knows the merchant ship he is traveling upon cannot keep up with the jump capability of the scout ship. After consulting a subsector map, he concludes the ship's likely destination is Jeffer-Scott. Upon arrival at Sao, the agent forwards a message to Jeffer-Scott via x-boat to a 3FT operative stationed at the starport in Jeffer-Scott. A new agent will have to pick up the trail on Jeffer-Scott.

SOLO Campaign- Dean Team 4

SOLO Campaign-Dean Team Part 4

Current Adventure: Infiltrate

Date: 110 - 1120

Subsector/Sector Location: Tri-Empire/Glimmerdrift Reaches

Cast of Characters (Dean Team):

Dean Halvaard (Force Commander)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Considers Keter an enemy.

Striker Anderson (Major)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Considers Dean a rival.

Jansen Trueblood (First Lieutenant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Admires Kilgar.

Keter Lancel (Lance Sergeant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Friendship with Dean through guilt.

Kilgar Plenson (Lance Sergeant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Knows about Striker's gambling problem.

Kyle Rheimer (Lance Sergeant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Likes to ridicule Jansen.

Free Use Pixabay/kalhh

110-1120  Negotiations with the Ginlenchy Concordance

Negotiations begin with the Ginlenchy Concordance (GinC) for contracted mercenary services provided by the Golden Company for any interested systems within the GinC.  The group meets with Verenson Kull, a diplomat for the GinC.

Verenson Kull is a staunch ally of the Imperium.  Most systems within the GinC are extremely nervous with the rise of the 3 Fists Triumvirate within the Republic of Krax.  Verenson believes the independence of the entire GinC is at risk.  He has known Dean Halvaard for many years and fully trusts him. Verenson assures the Golden Company representatives (Dean Team) this meeting is a mere formality.  The GinC is more than ready to sign the agreement with the Golden Company.

117-1120 The Deal is Done!

The contract is signed with great enthusiasm by all participants.  The official meeting ends on the first day, but the rest of the week was filled with relaxation and entertainment, courtesy of the Ginlenchy Concordance.  The team is refreshed, and ready to start its next mission.

Verenson Kull meets with the Dean Team in their private quarters at a villa near the Bakcyon startport.  He provides the group with documents for their new identities.  The first set of IDs has the Dean Team serving in the Ginlenchy Scout Service (GSS)  They will be serving as scouts aboard the GSS Hawk.  The second set of IDs has the Dean Team serving as crew members aboard a merchant ship.  The crew is scheduled to join the Far Trader, Free Enterprise, at Jeffer-Scott/Williamsburg/Glimmerdrift Reaches.  The Free Enterprise is scheduled to depart Jeffer-Scott on 229-1120, so the crew should have plenty of time to reach their destination.  Merchant ships often keep their regular schedules, but delays do occur.  The team will need to carefully monitor their progress to avoid any delays.  The Free Enterprise will not delay their departure for long, since free traders need to keep moving in order to make money.  Any extended delay by the Free Enterprise, apart from mechanical issues, will rouse suspicion.  Jeffer-Scott and Spadling are known to be infested with 3FT spies.

118-1120 The Mission Threatened

Dean decides to rid himself of an enemy by sending Keter Lancel back to Golden Company Headquarters with the newly-signed agreement.  The Dean Team meets to discuss the next phase of the mission, and Dean breaks the news to Keter.  Keter becomes  enraged and demands someone else should do it.  "You don't need me to be a delivery boy.  Send it the way documents like this are sent...THROUGH A COURIER!"  Keter began to visibly shake from his rage.  Dean quickly retorted, "You will do as you are ordered, Lance Sergeant!  I want this contract HAND DELIVERED, and it WILL NOT BE DELIVERED BY A COURIER! The information in this agreement will NOT fall into the hands of spies because of some errand boy's failure to properly guard its contents."  "Get someone else," Keter replied.  Dean's response was quick, "NO, I ORDER YOU TO DO IT AND THAT'S FINAL!" Keter stormed out of the room and headed back to his quarters.  Striker began to follow Keter, but Jansen replied, "Let him cool off for awhile." Striker agreed.  The rest of the team members concured, and began discussing their plans for infiltrating the Krax Republic.

After about twenty minutes, Keter returned to the meeting room holding a metal trash receptacle which contained the dying embers of a small fire.  Keter sat the receptacle down before the rest of the team and with an evil grin replied, "I just torched all of my original identity papers.  I'm not going anywhere!"  The entire team was speechless for a moment, then Striker responded, "What have you done?!"  At this point, the room erupted into a shouting match of curses, accusations, and insults.  After several minutes, the team members began to compose themselves.  "If you don't like it, too bad.  Maybe I'll report this whole mission to the media.  I am going back to my villa.  Later, losers" was Keter's response to the rest of the team members. The team stood there dumbfounded, as they silently contemplated the ramifications of Keter's threat.

The heat of the moment soon passed, and cooler heads prevailed. Dean contacted Verenson Kull to see if it was possible to have Keter arrested and secure him until Golden Company forces arrived and placed him into custody. Verenson's secretary informed Dean that he had just departed Bakcyon for a long-planned vacation to Aldrus (Tri-Empire/Glimmerdrift Reaches).  The team resumed its discussion on what to do.  Jansen and Kyle insisted Keter cannot remain a part of the team.  Striker and Kilgar were not as resistant to Keter remaining as Jansen and Kyle were, but both Striker and Kilgar believed something must be done.  After about an hour of discussion, the team reached a solution.  Dean will have to fire Keter.  Kilgar volunteered to return to Imperium space and deliver the contract to Golden Company Headquarters.  He would return to Bakcyon with the first contingent of mercenaries as soon as possible.

The group sent for Keter, and informed him of their decision.  Surprisingly, Keter had already resigned himself to this outcome and agreed to abide by their decision.  He turned to Dean and replied, "I agree with the team's decision, Commander.  I will honor it as well as my oath to the 4518th. I will remain on Bakcyon for the foreseeable future and contemplate my future."  Keter saluted Dean, turned, and left the room.  The entire Dean Team believed Keter would not betray them as he had threatened to do earlier.

119-1120 to 173-1120  Preparations for Next Mission

The Dean Team rests for a few more days, then begins training for the next leg of their journey.  The preparation is intense and requires training in scout ship duties as well as merchant duties.  The team feels confident their training will help them to pass as scout/merchant ship crew members.  The team hears and sees nothing of Keter.  Kilgar salutes his team members as he boards a transfer ship. This starship will take him back to Simulacrim where he will wait to board the Illustrious Star as it makes its way to Simulacrim , following its regular travel route.  It may be a long time before the team sees Kilgar again. It is  also possible they may never meet with him again.  Only time and good fortune will tell.

SOLO Campaign-Dean Team 3

SOLO Campaign - Dean Team Part 3

Current Adventure: Infiltrate

Date: 82 - 1120

Subsector/Sector Location: Tri-Empire/Glimmerdrift Reaches

Cast of Characters (Dean Team):

Dean Halvaard (Force Commander)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Considers Keter an enemy.

Striker Anderson (Major)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Considers Dean a rival.

Jansen Trueblood (First Lieutenant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Admires Kilgar.

Keter Lancel (Lance Sergeant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Friendship with Dean through guilt.

Kilgar Plenson (Lance Sergeant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Knows about Striker's gambling problem.

Kyle Rheimer (Lance Sergeant)

Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Likes to ridicule Jansen.

*

82-1120  Simulacrim to Quabinisar

Departure:  

The Dean Team is posing as part of the crew of the Raconteur, so training is in order.  The team members acclimate themselves with the crew of the far trader and the procedures they follow. While the team's individual identifications are not changed, each member of the Dean Team receives crew identification cards that are issued to employees of the ship.  

As the far trader departs, the Raconteur encounters a safari ship that has recently entered the system. The Huntress is having an issue with its M-drive. The crew of the Raconteur attempts to assist, but the repairs needed will require repair equipment that is not available on board either vessel.  The Captain has agreed to remain with the safari ship until a repair crew arrives to assist them.  This will delay the Raconteur's departure by one week.

89-1120

Transit:

The Raconteur makes its jump without any issues.  

Arrival:

No encounters or issues upon arrival at Quabinisar (no starport)

System Layover:

The Dean Team skims a nearby gas giant in order to refuel.  Unrefined fuel can lead to a misjump, but the crew of the Raconteur is used to this type of operation. The captain  takes every available step to insure safe jumps with frequent maintenance and fuel system cleanings whenever possible.

Quabinisar has no starport, so supplies for the planet are shuttled to the surface.  A private firm on the planet is licensed by the planetary government to conduct these operations.  A planet-based cargo craft will launch from the firm's facility and meet the Raconteur in orbit in order to transfer the cargo to their ship.  After the cargo craft reaches orbit, the cargo craft's pilot radios the captain of the Raconteur to inform him that a planetary official will be boarding the ship.  This official checks the entire crew's identifications and inspects the Raconteur for contraband.  The Dean Team is not aware this planetary official is a spy for the 3FT.  The spy records the crew list information and stores it for future reference.  

The transfer of cargo is allowed to continue since the Raconteur's "paperwork" is in order and no contraband was present.  The captain and crew receive their credits for the shipped goods, and they prepare to depart this system.

103-1120   Quabinisar to Bakcyon

Departure:

[Check for Misjump: 12+ (DM +3) for misjump.  2d6=7 (+3)=10  no issues]

As the Raconteur approaches its jump coordinates, a ship arriving in the Quabinisar system radios for help.  The 300 ton merchant ship Dark Star is having mechanical/computer issues.  The crew of the Raconteur lends a hand and quickly fixes a computer glitch.  The Dark Star thanks the captain and crew of the far trader for their assistance.

Transit:

While in transit, a review of sensor logs indicates another ship jumped around the same time as the Raconteur and appears to be on the same course as they are.  Could it be a false reading or is someone following them?  What about that official on Quabinisar?

Arrival:

Upon arrival at the Bakcyon system, the far trader radios an outbound ship.  The large cargo carrier does not respond.  Is their comm system out?  Are they operating under radio silence?  The captain says it's unusual for a transport ship of this size not to respond to a standard hail of passing starships.  He believes the cargo carrier's comm system is out.

System Layover:

The far trader lands at Bakcyon's starport.  The captain and crew will begin the search for shipping customers who are looking to ship goods to a nearby system.  

The Dean Team prepares to meet their contact for the next phase of their mission.  As the team members prepare to leave the starport, they encounter a desperate individual who is seeking to leave the planet quickly. Dean begins to answer the man, when suddenly several local police officers shout at the man to stop. He immediately bolts away and the chase is on!  The Dean Team members raise their hands to signify they have no clue what is going on and are not offering any resistance.  The local police flash by them without even a glance in their direction.  "Man, he's toast," chuckles Keter as the team members collect their luggage and head out of the starport. 

*Free use of this public domain image courtesy of Pixabay.

SOLO Campaign - Dean Team 2

Infiltrate Campaign:  Through the Marlan Primate

SOLO Campaign-Dean Team Part 2

Date: 54 - 1120

Subsector/Sector Location: Tri-Empire/Glimmerdrift Reaches

Cast of Characters (Dean Team)

Dean Halvaard (Force Commander)

• Character Reactions (SOLO p.18): Considers Keter an enemy.

Striker Anderson (Major)

• Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Considers Dean a rivalry. 

Jansen Trueblood (First Lieutenant)

• Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Admires Kilgar.

Keter Lancel (Lance Sergeant)

• Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Friendship with Dean through guilt.

Kilgar Plenson (Lance Sergeant)

• Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Knows about Striker's gambling problem.

Kyle Rheimer (Lance Sergeant)

• Character Reactions (SOLO p.18):  Likes to ridicule Jansen.

...................

*

54-1120 Ixobis-Daw  to Ixobis-Ron

Departure:  

A malfunction with the M-Drive of the Illustrious Star threatened to delay travel, but was repaired in time for scheduled departure.

Transit:

The Starship's Purser suffered a nervous breakdown.  She had changed the password for the weapon's vault without updating the backup access codes in case of an emergency.  Jansen attempts to counsel  her with some success, but the Purser will not give the code for vault access.

After entering the Ixobis-Ron system, Jansen was able to calm down the Purser.  She finally released the code to open the weapon's vault.  Crew members and several passengers have taken notice of Jansen and the rest of the Dean Team.  Traveling incognito is getting more difficult, and this could possibly draw the attention of any 3FT spies that may be present on the Illustrious Star.

Arrival:

The Dean Team meets with a potential ally.  Ilar Xenith is a retired Imperium Navy veteran who has no love for the Krax Republic or the 3 Fists Triumvirate. He offers his services to the team, but does not join with them at this time.

System Layover:

While on Ixobis-Ron, the team discovers a little known retreat on the planet. Dean decides it would be best to get in a little "R and R" with all that has transpired since the mission began.  Striker becomes upset with Dean's decision.  

• "We just started this mission, and you really believe R and R is in order?  This is a disgrace for Marines, especially the 4518th!"  "That's enough, Major," said Dean.  "I'm in command of this unit, and you will be advised to remember my rank.  Your actions are bordering on insubordination, and I will not tolerate it! Are we clear, Major?"  "YES, SIR!  CRYSTAL!," replied Striker with as much sarcasm as he could muster.

The ego battle between Striker and Dean is intensifying.

Shortly before the group's scheduled departure, Striker discovered a body pistol someone had stashed behind a storage locker at the starport terminal.  The situation with the Purser on board the Illustrious Star was fresh in Striker's mind, so he decides to smuggle the weapon on board the starship.  He will not risk being unable to acquire his weapon from the Purser's vault if something like this happens again.  An extremely risky move on his part that could endanger the entire mission.

68 -1120  Ixobis-Ron to Simulacrim

(Leaving the Marlan Primate and entering the Ginlenchy Concordance)

Departure:

The Dean Team passes through starport security with no issues.  Striker was successful in his attempt to smuggle  his recently acquired body pistol on board with him.

Transit:

As the Illustrious Star approached its jump point, it was stopped and boarded by a 200 ton light patrol craft (Sword & Shield).  A security team from the patrol craft was searching for a wanted crew member of the starship.  As far as the Dean Team could tell, the wanted crewman was not on board the luxury liner.

Ilar Xenith, who is also traveling on board the Illustrious Star, hits up Jansen for some financial assistance.  Jansen does not trust Ilar, but decides to lend him 97 credits.

Arrival:

No issues upon arrival at Simulacrim .  The team does note several starport security team members and starport officials surrounding a mysterious ship that had landed shortly after the Illustrious Star.  Several people in the starport gather together to watch the event as well as the members of the Dean Team. A rumor was overheard about a plan by the Marlan Primate to invade and take over neighboring systems in the Ginlenchy Concordance.  

Is it just a rumor???  The group makes a note of it.

System Layover:

The Dean Team departs the Illustrious Star and prepares to transfer to the far trader, Raconteur.  The Raconteur's captain and crew are part of a covert operation by the Imperium to keep a watchful eye on the Republic of Krax.  The far trader plies the shipping lanes and other star systems off the regular shipping lanes throughout this sector of space.  The Dean Team's mission is known by the captain and his faithful crew.  They are at the Dean Team's disposal.

While waiting to depart Simulacrim, Jansen was robbed at the starport.  Held at gunpoint, Jansen was robbed of 600 credits.  Jansen reports the incident to Dean, and the entire group attempts to locate the robber.  An investigation by the group with a little reconnaissance  at the starport reveals a gang of robbers operating at the starport and the surrounding area.  The robber who accosted Jansen was not located, but a firefight in a back alley near the starport ends with one of the gang members killed.  No Dean Team members were harmed, and the team was able to return to the starport without incident.

The team members board the Raconteur and prepare to depart to Quabinisar (Tri-Empire/GR).

*Free use public domain image courtesy of Pixabay.