Previously
‘Bobrikov has been on this crew for two years. Why would he want to kill Mekhrev?’
‘Hyperspace won’t affect him; he could kill all of us.’
‘Before you say anything – I’m just an employee like the rest of you and your contracts do allow for this – read the small print.’
‘The fucking fusion plant’s gone critical.’
2226 – 239* In transit to Nevermind Hyperspace Translation Point
‘We can’t return – we don’t have the burns.’ Peshkova nodded at Cook and turned to face Agbaje
‘Record that,’ said Agbaje. ‘ICO regs demand we should render aid if possible.’
‘There have been no distress calls from the surface, although there is some traffic from ships in orbit.’
‘Cheban was the spaceport and main uplink – there won’t be any calls. Anyway, we can’t help. Continue to the HSP for Hiroshima.’
Masefield raised his hand. ‘We haven’t resolved the Bobrikov situation. How do we know the bastard isn’t aboard? I am not prepared to go into the freezers with it aboard.’
It was agreed that Masefield and Becker would override the interlocks on the hypersleep chamber so that it could only be opened from the inside. Meanwhile, Chandradatti and Peshkova tried to sabotage the android docking station in Bobrikov’s quarters by poisoning the android fluid and ripping out the wires.
‘Hopefully, he was in that.’ Cook indicated the image of the Cheban fireball on the overhead screens.
‘You fucking insensitive c+++’ screamed Chandradatti. ‘There were over thirty thousand people living in Cheban and the whole planet depended on the power from that fusion plant. Several thousand more are likely to die. Do you know what it is like to cause widescale death? No? Then do not presume to judge me.’ **
Cook was taken aback. ‘Who’s judging you?’
Agbaje stepped in – ‘There is no time for this. We have taken all precautions we can, and we don’t have the burns to delay. We need to translate back to Hiroshima. Everyone – flight checks please, then we button up.
2226 – 243 to 257 In hyperspace, translating from Nevermind to Hiroshima
2226 – 257 Hiroshima (Ross 154)
‘We are ninety Mkm out, figure on a four and a half day transit.’ Cook locked in the course for Hiroshima and looked at Agbaje, who was manning the sensor station. He acknowledged and Peshkova initiated the burn for home. Agbaje reached for the ship comms.
‘This is the Captain. This has been a difficult situation, and we are all shaken up. Tomorrow night is party night in the mess. Let’s live it up people.’
2226 -258
The party had gone well, plenty of Kinako Red and Green and the Red Dragon had flowed. Towards the end, Peshkova collared Agbaje in a maintenance corridor.
‘Mr captain … sir. You have lost confidence in me, and I with you. When we land, I will be putting in for a transfer to another ship.’ ***
2226 – 262 Hiroshima
Peshkova brought the ‘Macao Champion’ into a perfect landing at the starport. She shut down the pilot station and transferred the command codes to Agbaje; then went to her quarters, picked up her gear and left the ship.
To be continued …
———————–
GM notes
* I have reverted to the Earth Standard Calendar – Day 001 is a holiday, then 364 days of 52 weeks at 7 days per week. Days numbered 001-365 (okay – it’s actually the CT Imperial Calendar.)
** Chandra has really lost it big time based on her backstory.
*** This was not rolled randomly – often when you get a Storyline going then just run with it. It was obvious that Peshkova was not getting on with Agbaje and did not trust him. It was almost certain that she would leave (she was ex-military, had seen her friend and buddy die needlessly, and was now being forced back into combat situations. Also, there was some jealously of Cook.)
Storylines
+ Vasili Mekhrev – he survived, but how much does he remember? Is he still on the crew?
+ Chandradatti – lost it a bit and may have revealed a bit about her past.
+ The “MC” needs a new pilot and sensor operator – this will be handled by the Company.
+ Do they reveal to their bosses that Bobrikov was a synthetic assassin? Is Mekhrev’s life still in danger?
+ Who created Bobrikov?
This developed in many unexpected ways and threw up at lot of interesting Storylines. Let’s see what happens next – REM there was some political intrigue happening on Hiroshima in BP 2.
Uncanny Worlds 