tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61081972011-06-08T01:38:06.099-05:00Traveller's LogThe online journal of Isis, a traveller in the year 1120 of the Third Imperium, year 5641 by the Solomani (Earth) calender.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01075925286591972233noreply@blogger.comBlogger2721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1136230436445049392006-01-02T14:31:00.000-05:002006-01-02T14:33:56.456-05:00Podcasts Now OnlineGo to our website to listen to Traveller's Log - The Adventures of Isis as a podcast. New podcasts are being posted every day.Other Traveller podcasts are also in the works so watch the website for info.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01075925286591972233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1135123101478570212005-12-20T18:48:00.000-05:002005-12-20T19:14:14.513-05:00New WebsiteI just set up a new website at AmandaDickersonRPG.tripod.com.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01075925286591972233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1135035339845045392005-12-19T18:34:00.000-05:002005-12-19T18:35:39.856-05:00Psionics Institutes Now AvailablePsionics Institutes is now available from Steve Jackson Games!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01075925286591972233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1114095168798491762005-04-21T09:38:00.000-05:002005-04-21T09:52:48.803-05:00Status ReportTraveller's log is still on hiatus due to the contract the author has with Steve Jackson Games which prevents her from writing any Traveller related material while under contract. The manuscript for Psionics Institutes is completed and in the hands of the talented editors at Steve Jackson Games. The publishing process is slow, and there is no telling how long it will be before thatAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01075925286591972233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1081700610995496052004-04-11T11:23:00.000-05:002004-04-11T11:35:21.873-05:00On Hiatus
Traveller's Log has reached the end of "Chapter One" and is going on hiatus. The author has several high priority projects which must be completed on schedule. Amanda Dickerson is working closely with the editors of GURPS Traveller to produce a sourcebook called "Traveller: Psionics Institutes". She is also working on revisions for a game book called "A Tangled Web" for Rogue Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01075925286591972233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1081431603922771202004-03-28T21:39:00.000-05:002004-04-08T08:43:51.746-05:00NEBULOUS -- Night 7
As I look back, I wonder if things could have happened any other way. If somehow the universal plan had meant for things to turn out the way they have.
After I left Jinny, I quickly made my way through the starship. The bodies would be found soon and I wanted to be off this ship and off the high starport before then. Jinny had the foresight not to keep the Grimola with Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1081373488782100302004-03-28T17:31:00.000-05:002004-04-07T17:07:26.123-05:00NEBULOUS -- Day 7
I planted myself beneath the room where Jinny was staying and waited. We docked at the orbiting spaceport and while most everyone else was butting their way through the crowd, Jinny hadn't left her room. After a long time, I grew tired of waiting and went looking for her. I had to go quite a ways out of range to reach the steps to the next level. The crowds were still Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1081001419877820252004-03-27T09:13:00.000-05:002004-04-03T09:14:01.293-05:00NEBULOUS -- Day 6
We'll be coming out of Jump tomorrow. Champa has a large starport and I don't want to let Jinny get out of my sight or I might not be able to find her again. We are well into the Harlequin Subsector now. She'll probably have no shortage of assistance now, which is probably why she dumped me.
I've packed what little I have, with only my boot knife for a weapon, and I am Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1081000180338830862004-03-26T08:49:00.000-05:002004-04-03T09:00:57.996-05:00NEBULOUS -- Day 5
Jinny left the Comm hack in place and I am able to monitor inner-ship communications. I have enough food to last two people the rest of the trip, so I'm sitting tight for now.
Unfortunately, it has given me time to worry. I feel the weight of expectation from my comrades, especially Jack and Herlioni. If chasing after Jinny was something I was doing for myself, I would Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080827935536727572004-03-25T20:57:00.000-05:002004-04-01T09:02:33.436-05:00NEBULOUS -- Night 4
This is the second Jinny has ditched me, and it is pretty clear to me that she intended to do this the first time and ran into trouble.
It doesn’t make sense for her to do this now, in the middle of a jump. And what of her relationship with Herlioni? Wouldn’t he have noticed any deception?
Frustrated, hungry and tired, I set aside these worries for a few minutes and ateIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080770583082381542004-03-25T03:08:00.000-05:002004-03-31T17:06:40.873-05:00NEBULOUS -- Day 4
I left Jinny the laser pistol and instructed her not to open the door unless she hears the series of knocks we decided on.
The hallways were fairly busy for the time of night. I walked calmly even when I passed security. I was sure to make eye contact and nod a non-committal hello and keep a steady pace.
The commissary caters to passengers who like to eat in and the staffIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080769985400290272004-03-25T00:46:00.000-05:002004-03-31T16:56:42.496-05:00NEBULOUS -- Night 3
So far, so good. Apparently the 'victims' as they are calling the wounded, are not talking with the ship's security. They flashed their military credentials and the matter has been officially dropped. Which is strange to me, since they could press the crew into searching for us.
Jinny and I have not left the cabin even to eat. I'm starving. I am thinking about making Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080658713973501542004-03-24T13:57:00.000-05:002004-03-30T10:02:10.030-05:00NEBULOUS -- Day 3 (afternoon)
Since Herlioni trusted me to ‘watch out for everyone’s interest’, I have not let Jinny out of my sight. When I awoke this morning, I found the cabin empty.
I checked around for a note, but didn’t find one. I opened the door and looked both ways, no one was in the hall. I quickly got dressed, making sure to stick my knife in my boot and my laser pistol at the Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080653300858839492004-03-24T03:27:00.000-05:002004-03-30T08:33:20.280-05:00NEBULOUS -- Day 3 (early morning)
The starship’s laundry facility is larger than some of the starships I have traveled on. We snuck inside during the slower night shift, but still the place was bustling. Once we got inside, we hid behind a dirty laundry bin and waited for an opportunity to sneak over to the clean linen racks. We waited nearly a half hour and I was starting to think the Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080565871980192542004-03-23T23:10:00.000-05:002004-03-29T08:17:00.686-05:00NEBULOUS -- Night 2
After some planning, Jinny and I were ready to hack the computer system. We discovered that only one young medical technician was assigned to the sick bay during ship’s night. He would call for help if anything serious came up, but minor problems he could handle. So I gave myself a minor problem. I used my boot knife and ever so slightly cut my scalp inside the hairline.Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080505693541723552004-03-23T15:21:00.000-05:002004-03-28T15:31:46.873-05:00NEBULOUS -- Day 2
So far so good. Jinny and I have been moving from one public area to another, trying to avoid notice. She is familiar with big transport ships like this one, and has pointed out some potential hiding places in case we need them. We take turns sleeping and then only in a few hour intervals. We are going to raid the laundry service room during the next ship's night and try toIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080407104133144472004-03-22T00:05:00.000-05:002004-03-27T12:32:08.293-05:00NEBULOUS -- Day 1
Jinny and I are aboard the massive transport vessel NEBULOUS. We are stowaways at this point. I have just enough for a low passage for both of us, but I definitely don't want to register as passengers until we have Jumped. Passenger logs are reported to the starport and the Navy might be able to stop or track us.
We don't even leave orbit for another few hours. We haveIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080325753300029772004-03-21T13:28:00.000-05:002004-03-26T13:33:53.420-05:00ARIEL -- Day 1 (afternoon)
I spotted Jack, sensed him really, entering the huge lounge. I stood up to wave him over and then I saw the knot of military rushing toward him. He must have noticed my shock, or perhaps Herlioni beside me sent him a message, but either way, Jack broke into a run and took off, leading them away.
“We have to help him,” I said.
Herlioni caught my arm. “We have to Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1080050438200375382004-03-21T08:49:00.000-05:002004-03-23T09:04:04.590-05:00ARIEL -- Day 1
We arrived at the port city of Duaridun without much trouble. The city is swarming with military searching for us. I gather they searched the CAPELLIAN and spoke with the crew. A quick check with the traffic controllers and they will know where two escape pods landed. The smart money would bet that we'd show up in the port city eventually looking for transport.
Jack and Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079963046332879762004-03-20T08:43:00.000-05:002004-03-22T08:47:30.936-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 13
For a long time Jack sat on the floor quietly, his eyes closed. Finally, he opened his eyes and spoke. “Isis, there should be a power cable for the bridge. Find it and figure out how to disable it, but don’t do it yet. Cobalt, find the emergency back-up power system and the engine rapid shut down switches.”
I had to search through several wall panels before I found Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079887999538221202004-03-19T17:50:00.000-05:002004-03-21T12:32:38.826-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 12 (evening)
Jack and I were in the hallway when a sound of crashing metal echoed from the engine room. We started down the hall toward it, when Herlioni's mental warning stopped us. The crew were trying to divide and conquer us. That's when we heard the galley doors slip shut and clank with the magnetic lock.
Raginer and Cobalt were under attack in the engine room. Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079833236532130772004-03-19T14:49:00.000-05:002004-03-20T20:43:59.093-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 12 (afternoon)
The engine noise has grown worse and the engineer has 'drafted' Cobalt and Raginer to assist him. I'm not sure what good he thinks those two will be. Perhaps heavy parts or equipment needs maneuvered.
Gray doesn't like the situation. I've noticed that he has positioned himself and Jinny near an escape pod. Herlioni, who won't leave Jinny's side is also Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079832772340126792004-03-19T08:30:00.000-05:002004-03-20T20:38:14.810-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 12
Herlioni and Jinny have been huddled in the corner of the galley this morning, their fingers interlaced and whispering. I think their romance hit them both quiet suddenly, much like it did with Jack and I. I wonder if that is particular to telepaths.
The engines have been making a different harmonic sound than usual, and the tension from the crew is palpable, not only Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079699083623940922004-03-18T07:23:00.000-05:002004-03-19T07:28:04.090-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 11
Jack and I had retired to our cabin for the evening, as had most everyone else, except Cobalt who was standing watch in the galley. Unexpectedly, we both were washed over with a wave of sensuality. We clung to each other almost desperately, giving in to the feeling. Later, exhausted, Jack started chuckling.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
“Herlioni has no self control.” Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079567813162037962004-03-17T18:56:00.000-05:002004-03-17T19:08:47.060-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 10
Marmot and Raginer, our two Solomani hot-heads, got into a shoving match in the galley this morning. I missed how it started, but Raginer tossed Marmot across the room and knocked over a table and some chairs. There was a short scuffle, but the captain and Gray managed to break them up. Once it was over, the captain ordered all of us to stay in our cabins for the rest ofIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079567237412650462004-03-16T18:58:00.000-05:002004-03-17T18:54:33.343-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 9
Our group has been keeping to ourselves, usually hanging out in the galley or in our rooms. Gray, Cobalt and Raginer take turns on 'guard' duty, but they don't call it that. They are keeping an eye on the crew, who have become silently hostile toward us. Herlioni has been keeping an 'ear' on the situation, but the crew knows he is Zhodani and we don't want to provoke themIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079444088284245072004-03-15T08:33:00.000-05:002004-03-17T18:46:42.233-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 8
We were not even a full day into our second jump when the crap erupted. You can’t exactly call it a mutiny, but the captain and crew of the CAPELLIAN and Gray began arguing about the ambush that had been waiting for us. The captain knew that our group was trying to escape the Banasdan subsector but they expected that it would be merely a matter of not drawing attention to Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079373341757253682004-03-14T12:53:00.000-05:002004-03-15T12:58:57.450-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 7
Whoa, crap!
I guess I can credit Gray with having a couple of brain cells in his head. He had the navigator plot a course so we would not appear in the standard region of space for most ships leaving Jump-space, and it was a good thing too.
We jumped in almost twice as far from the planetary system as one usually would, and immediately on the sensors I picked up three Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079286920663241612004-03-13T10:49:00.000-05:002004-03-14T18:55:21.873-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 6
We arrive at Newcomb tomorrow. We have enough fuel for another jump, but we are going to check about getting more any way. We hope we are far enough ahead of any pursuit that we will have time to stop. There are several systems between Pajang and the Harlequin subsector, so unless there are several ships deployed to just hang out and watching for us, we are hoping to slipIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079191372947314112004-03-12T10:19:00.000-05:002004-03-13T10:36:21.450-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 5
Jack has been spending his free time reviewing the records on the 'fabled treasure' mentioned in the Grimola. Jinny won't give him the translated texts until we deliver her to the Harlequin subsector. Still, he wants to have an idea what he is going after and where we'll have to go to find it.
I've been studying for the next sensor/comm op test and spending a few hours a Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1079014038879310192004-03-11T08:59:00.000-05:002004-03-11T09:10:28.733-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 4
Besides me, Jack, Jinny and our merc companions, there are six others on board. The ship is one Gray hired and it came with a full crew compliment. I've met the captain, a burly guy named Tafler, and the other bridge crew, Marmot a Solomani sensor/comm op, Maki, the pilot and Penwan, a Vegan navigator.
Jack takes a rotation as the pilot and I take a rotation as the sensorIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078872143350307732004-03-10T06:42:00.000-05:002004-03-09T17:51:07.640-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 3
The CAPELLIAN is a nice sized ship, but only has a jump-2 capability. Reaching the Harlequin sub-sector will require 3 jumps. We are avoiding the main travel routes to reduce the chances of running into a pursuing vessel. Our next stop is Newcomb, a former mining planet that now houses a large Imperium prison. It gives me shivers going there, since my various psionic Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078870816270318962004-03-09T17:20:00.000-05:002004-03-09T17:41:07.653-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 2
I had a chance to speak with Jinny today. It turns out she is distantly related to Treewrich. She's from the branch of the family whose roots are linked with the nobility in Harlequin, and therefore considered the lesser branch. She's one of the many distance relatives that received jobs working for the nobility as a concession, which amounts to charity and an insult in Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078784126767393632004-03-08T17:15:00.000-05:002004-03-08T17:28:01.263-05:00CAPELLIAN -- Day 1
Jack has a sick sense of humor.
The ticket that I'm 'going to love', is actually working with that back-stabbing merc Gray. He'd found Jinny, thanks to the tips Jack 'swiped' from me. Jack made a deal with Gray that if he found Jinny with that tip, that he was supposed to come back and he and Jack would be partners in the rest of the deal. So Jack, and Herlioni, were Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078756317532141182004-03-08T09:31:00.000-05:002004-03-08T09:35:03.090-05:00PAJANG -- Day 17
Jack left again early this morning and just returned. He told us to grab our stuff, that we are going. Herlioni, who can read Jack without even trying, smiled and started packing his gear.
I tried to read him, but just picked up on his excitement. "Where are we going?" I asked.
"It was providence that we were stuck here so long. Come on. You are going love this."
I Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078755548888607242004-03-07T21:15:00.000-05:002004-03-08T09:22:14.560-05:00PAJANG -- Day 16
Disappointed and suffering from a headache, I didn't do much today. Herlioni was disappointed at our finish. He'd hoped as a Zhodani he could give our team enough of an edge. He's disappointed that he was so quickly eliminated in the last round.
Jack's gone to speak with his mercenary recruiter contacts to see if anything new has come in.
Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078620513517266872004-03-06T19:48:00.000-05:002004-03-06T20:01:32.326-05:00PAJANG -- Day 15 (elimination round 3)
This round we faced off with the former champions and heavily favored 'scorpions'. We were going to go with our original plan, with Jack and I going in opposite directions and Herlioni coordinating. When we burst out of the chamber we picked up on the other team's intention almost immediately. They were going for Herlioni.
Jack reacted first and took Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078614004526978862004-03-06T18:00:00.000-05:002004-03-06T18:21:27.140-05:00PAJANG -- Day 15 (elimination round 2)
Our opponents for the second round were one of the teams that made it through the qualifying round. They call themselves the 'Solomani Snakes'. I watched their last bout. They were quick and efficient. The whole mess was over in less than a minute.
Knowing this, Herlioni decided our best bet was to let him 'control' Jack and I. In the last round he Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078589841032760752004-03-06T11:17:00.000-05:002004-03-06T11:46:10.653-05:00PAJANG -- Day 15 (elimination round 1)
I watched the handful of rounds before ours, so I kind of knew what to expect. When our time came we were shut into a small chamber. Our opponents were in another one directly on the other side of the circle.
"Link up with me now," Herlioni said. "And remember to keep your focus."
When the door snapped up, both teams ran out firing at the other. Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078587975225586382004-03-06T10:46:00.000-05:002004-03-06T11:48:56.403-05:00PAJANG -- Day 15 (getting ready)
I watched the first two qualifying rounds. YIKES! I'm glad those were only low-powered lasers. The first few minutes are a slaughter. The lasers are strong enough to knock you down, and within the first few seconds more than half of the contestants are mowed down. The more agile dodge the strikes, and the stronger 'paths control the bots. In the first Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078586540049403052004-03-06T10:22:00.000-05:002004-03-06T10:26:57.903-05:00PAJANG -- Day 15 (qualifying)
Thank goodness Herlioni sign us up yesterday. Most teams waited until today to sign up. There are only 64 slots in the first elimination round, but far more than that have arrived. There are teams here from all over the Solomani Rim. The first 60 to sign up are guaranteed their places. The rest have to go through a qualifying bout for the remaining 4 slots. Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078581851317561392004-03-06T09:04:00.000-05:002004-03-06T09:18:18.920-05:00PAJANG -- Day 15
I awoke early this morning and meditated and stretched to loosen up for today's competition. Herlioni led Jack and I to the building the underground set up just for their games. The building, from the outside, appears to be just one of the older abandoned ones most cities accumulate.
On the inside, it has been completely gutted. The concrete walls rise for several stories,Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078525698175941112004-03-05T17:28:00.000-05:002004-03-05T17:37:06.153-05:00PAJANG -- Day 14
Well, I guess we are about as ready for tomorrow as we are going to be. I have 'orders' from Herlioni, as team captain, to get plenty of rest tonight. The part he failed to mention is :"because tomorrow we may all die."
I have a killer headache.
Herlioni has already met with some of the 'officials' of the unofficial psionic games and signed us up. I guess that means Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078408559242513512004-03-04T08:55:00.000-05:002004-03-04T08:58:58.840-05:00PAJANG -- Day 13
Man, I feel shredded today. Herlioni drilled Jack and I on team strategy, which involves group-mind techniques and shadowing. Shadowing is a lot like being a wingman in fighter combat. You watch your teammate’s ‘back’ while they are concentrating on their one-on-one combat. It takes a lot of concentration to keep up shields, try to read someone else and run around and fireIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078337026185493532004-03-03T13:02:00.000-05:002004-03-03T13:06:45.343-05:00PAJANG -- Day 12 (afternoon)
Herlioni brought back an armful of inexpensive rations and he, Jack and I chowed down while bantering about ideas about what to do next. My suggestion about checking the crew openings at Starship Services brought a round of negative grunts.
Jack described the meetings he’d been having with mercenary recruiters. Some of the ‘tickets’ were espionage or scouting inIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078325258628089252004-03-03T09:46:00.000-05:002004-03-03T09:50:37.000-05:00PAJANG -- Day 12
I had trouble sleeping last night. When I woke this morning, I decided I had to tell Jack that we should go our separate ways.
I rose before Jack or Herlioni and stood by the window over looking the port city. I remembered how interesting and beautiful I found it on our first day here. Now it seemed only filled with treachery and danger.
“Isis?” Jack walked up behind me.Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078282115529504252004-03-02T21:48:00.000-05:002004-03-02T22:09:41.670-05:00PAJANG -- Night 11
Jack woke up this evening. He took my hand and didn't let go as he related his experience. The soldiers took him out of the local jail and brought him to the base just after Toby and Josh were released. Instead of putting him in a cell, they locked him in an empty hanger. They handcuffed him to a chair and before they even asked him a question they injected him.
After Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078234958226702172004-03-02T08:42:00.000-05:002004-03-02T21:45:42.280-05:00PAJANG -- Day 11
Herlioni and I spend all of last night hovering over Jack. I excepted the navy to arrive at any moment, given that they had been looking for us before and the personnel in the clinic certainly would remember us and report us. But no one came. The number of naval troops have decreased actually, to about normal levels. There have been no further news reports about any of us.Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078171203218524042004-03-01T15:00:00.000-05:002004-03-01T15:02:59.763-05:00PAJANG -- Day 10 (afternoon)
I went to the naval base this morning to scope it out, with every intention of finding a way to bust Jack out.
When I got there, I saw Jack sitting outside on a bench, staring down at his feet.
I walked up slowly, expecting some kind of trap. I stood beside him for a while and he didn't seem to notice me. Finally, I asked, "Jack, are you all right?"
Jack Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078146531580168172004-03-01T08:08:00.000-05:002004-03-01T08:11:47.623-05:00PAJANG -- Day 10
I feel like screaming. Jack is still in custody, but he has been moved from the local lock-up to the naval station. Appearently, they are not pleased with Toby and Josh’s release. This morning they issued a notice that the pair are wanted for questioning.
That doesn’t matter now.
Last night there was a mutany of sorts. If you can have a mutany without a ship. We’d foundIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1078064296886976492004-02-29T09:18:00.000-05:002004-02-29T09:26:34.030-05:00PAJANG -- Day 9
Fret, who hadn't come into either the clinic here or in West Lox was elected to go the official route. He used a nice chunk of the funds I set aside from my share of the bounty Jack collected from Treewrich, and he hired a legal counselor. The counselor, along with more money from my dwindling accounts, bribed the magistrate into dropping the charges against Josh and Toby. Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077993644339039512004-02-28T13:40:00.000-05:002004-02-28T13:43:37.513-05:00PAJANG -- Day 8 (afternoon)
Crap! Crap! CRAP!!!!
No wonder the navy wasn't too worried about finding us in West Lox. The clinic that removed Juwanda's chip had in their records the referring doctor. That doctor was the one in Bershot, the port city, where Juwanda was first treated.
When we were there we told him she was a member of the crew of the RIM RUNNER.
When we got back we found Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077993272222915282004-02-28T09:30:00.000-05:002004-02-28T13:37:25.483-05:00PAJANG -- Day 8
Thankfully there were not enough troops to really lock down West Lox. We are heading back to the port city and Fret is sure we are not being followed.
I told Juwanda about the psionic underground and that I am hoping to find information on an institute there. If I could find one after all this trouble, one that Juwanda could benefit from, I think it will begin to make up forIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077977653865671902004-02-27T21:04:00.000-05:002004-02-28T09:17:25.920-05:00PAJANG -- Night 7
Fret finally turned on his comm link and got Herlioni's messages. He'd found more pleasurable company to keep than ours.
The Navy had been searching the shopping complex, systematically checking each floor from the bottom up. We were waiting on the roof for Fret. He picked us up and we blended into the busier traffic patterns and slipped out of West Lox without being Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077923886447631042004-02-27T18:18:00.000-05:002004-02-27T18:20:58.826-05:00PAJANG -- Day 7 (evening)
Juwanda is completely recovered from the sedation now. She's a bit sore, but mobile.
We still have not heard from Fret. We've been moving to avoid the navy. By now I am sure the medical staff at the clinic must have told them about removing the chip from Juwanda. They probably have seen the surveillance video and have an idea about all of our appearances.
After Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077920824977968362004-02-27T14:27:00.000-05:002004-02-27T17:52:39.873-05:00PAJANG -- Day 7
This morning was hectic. Juwanda's surgery went well. Herlioni assured me that the nurses and doctors in the operating room hadn't noticed the chip's origin code, which would have identified it as military in design. They gave it to Herlioni as he requested, so he could make sure no one examined it later.
We thought we were in the clear. Fret's been hitting the town while Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077803769286826662004-02-26T08:55:00.000-05:002004-02-26T08:58:59.233-05:00PAJANG -- Day 6
We arrived late last night and got Juwanda checked in. She saw the doctor this morning. Herlioni jumped in and replied to the doctor’s questions, to me surprise but Juwanda and I let him. He lied about how Juwanda had acquired the loyalty chip. He said that he himself had the chip implanted as a condition to an employment contract, which has been fulfilled. Now he is Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077734520288934632004-02-25T13:42:00.000-05:002004-02-25T13:44:49.496-05:00PAJANG -- Day 5 (afternoon)
Fret, Herlioni and I are taking Juwanda to West Lox. Fret rented an air/raft and is flying. Juwanda is working on another letter home, so I’m taking this time to up date my log.
I have not seen Jack much since we arrived. He says he is tracking down mercenary work for the RIM RUNNER. I think it is not just that he is trying to find work, but he is picky about Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077734465191614342004-02-25T10:40:00.000-05:002004-02-25T13:43:54.403-05:00PAJANG -- Day 5
Last night Herlioni drilled me on opening and closing my senses. I can’t achieve nearly what he showed me the other day, but I was starting to pick out where everyone was on board the RIM RUNNER. And the best part was that no one seemed to notice the contact.
I’ve been thinking how much I can learn from Herlioni without having to actually attend an institute. The one thing Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077673824968387922004-02-24T20:50:00.000-05:002004-02-24T20:53:12.936-05:00PAJANG -- Night 4
I've barely had a moment to take a breath today. I visited with Juwanda this morning and she'll be well enough to move tomorrow. We'll be running her to the specialist to get her chip removed.
When I got back to the ship I was intercepted by port authority regarding the ship's registration. (Which is a forged.) I had to hunt down Jack, finally finding him in a dingy diveIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077558052707559572004-02-23T16:34:00.000-05:002004-02-23T13:17:34.216-05:00PAJANG -- Day 3 (afternoon)
It is funny walking with Herlioni through the crowded starport. He is Zhodani and has the classic features: tall, fair and very high tone in his manner. As much as the Imperium fear and hate psions, they fear and hate Zhodani. As a race the Zhodani are psionically gifted and in their region of space it is not only acceptable to use one's talents, it is expected Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077555877418259752004-02-23T12:04:00.000-05:002004-02-23T12:13:06.340-05:00PAJANG -- Day 3 (mid-day)
I passed the test with flying colors. I will have to accumulate another 500 hours before I can take the next test, which will involve learning how to repair and build various sensor/comm systems.
After I got my certificate I stopped by the hospital to check on Juwanda. She is looking much better. Her color has returned to normal. We visited for a while before I Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077543657382840272004-02-23T08:37:00.000-05:002004-02-23T08:43:43.576-05:00PAJANG -- Day 3
I'm heading out to Starship Services this morning for the test. I'm glad I took last night to study. I remembered mostly everything. Now I am very confident.
Jack's got a lead on a few jobs for RIM RUNNER, which he is going to follow up on today. We can't go anywhere until the engine repairs are done.
Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077461835468911612004-02-22T14:00:00.000-05:002004-02-22T10:01:11.000-05:00PAJANG -- Day 2 (afternoon)
This morning has been fairly productive for everyone. I dropped off the messages for home and scheduled my Sensor/Comm Op test for tomorrow. I'm going to spend the rest of today reviewing for the test.
Josh took and passed his engineer's test already. He and Toby are renting some special equipment and are going to overhaul the engines over the next several days,Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077392671495630172004-02-22T07:46:00.000-05:002004-02-22T09:49:59.543-05:00PAJANG -- Day 2
I just saw Juwanda in the hospital. She's a wake and despite the yellow tint to her skin, which the doctors say will pass, she is looking pretty good under the circumstances. Most of the scars from the attack were in the torso area and won't show. She was glad to be free of Treewrich and has asked the doctor to remove the loyalty chip. This is where there is a problem.
TheIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077392053669730812004-02-21T20:01:00.000-05:002004-02-21T14:36:57.496-05:00PAJANG -- Night 1 (later)
The doctor finally came out and talked with us. He said Juwanda was going to be fine. They had to operate on her liver and gall bladder to repair internal injuries that the medics on board the ROYAL FALCON hadn't or couldn't treat. If we hadn't gotten rescued her she wouldn't have lived much longer.
He said Juwanda should be asleep the rest of the night and to go Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077391202426459322004-02-21T19:20:00.000-05:002004-02-21T14:32:59.856-05:00PAJANG -- Night 1
Jack and I brought Juwanda to the hospital in the port city of Bershot. They admitted her right away. The doctors have been with her for over an hour and I am anxious for news.
Gray, Ranginer and Cobalt have already found a starship heading back for Noricum and left. I feel better just knowing Gray is gone. He's been like an off-key tune on my nerves since I met him. Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077389310206889502004-02-21T13:48:00.000-05:002004-02-21T14:13:37.216-05:00RIM RUNNER -- Day 6 (afternoon)
The mercs are having one last meal together before they go their separate ways. I found out that one of the reasons that Josh and Fret are sticking around is that our engineer, a nice older guy named Toby, has taken young Josh under his wing so to speak. Josh followed his brother Fret into the mercenary trade, but never really embraced the lifestyle himself. Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077384230763926772004-02-21T12:23:00.000-05:002004-02-21T12:36:51.450-05:00RIM RUNNER -- Day 6
We leave Jump space tonight. Once we dock in Pajang we'll get Juwanda to a hospital. Herlioni has kept her in partial stasis to keep her stable. For short periods of time it shouldn't be harmful, but she was tore up pretty bad by that dragon thing and has internal injuries.
After we have her in good hands I am going to send word to her family that I found her and that Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077280744393888982004-02-20T07:38:00.000-05:002004-02-20T07:43:29.060-05:00RIM RUNNER -- Day 5
After my shift last night Herlioni and I practiced, and I experienced a tiny bit of what he meant by being ‘shredded.’ I found out I have no defenses at all when it comes to telepathic combat. He’d barely whip a thought at me and I’d snap backward with the force. I have a hangover this morning about half as bad as the ones I get from ‘blinking’.
I found out more about Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077198840391471502004-02-19T08:54:00.000-05:002004-02-19T08:56:40.780-05:00RIM RUNNER -- Day 4
I was talking with Herlioni again this morning to find out what he could tell me about this gauntlet thing. It turns out there are different ones for different types of psions. For telepaths, there are two elimination rounds before the actual gauntlet itself. As I probably would be eliminated before the actual gauntlet, I was thinking about joining in with the hopes thatIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077148110045644032004-02-18T18:48:00.000-05:002004-02-18T19:02:35.653-05:00RIM RUNNER -- Night 3
Of course nothing can be easy.
Herlioni knows a guy on Pajang who is part of the psionics underground. I didn't even know there was a psionics underground. This underground 'community' supposedly has members from a few different psionics institutes. Herlioni said if I could make friends with some of these folks, they might share the location of the institute or put meIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077108464575179972004-02-18T07:47:00.000-05:002004-02-18T07:50:23.576-05:00RIM RUNNER -- Day 3
So now that I have put my foot down about going after the Grimola, Jack wanted to talk this morning about what we should do next. I really hadn’t thought about it any further than getting Juwanda home, safe and sound.
One thing I can do is finally take the first Sensor/Comm Op test and get certified. I have far more hours than I require now. Unfortunately, the extra Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077108417706193152004-02-17T23:46:00.000-05:002004-02-18T07:49:36.716-05:00RIM RUNNER -- Night 2
I did what I had set out to do, rescue Juwanda. In the process, Jack and the rest of the crew did collect the bounty on me when they turned me in. You’d think that be enough.
Now Grey is talking about wanting the million credits and ship Treewrich promised if I helped him find the Grimola. Of course, Treewrich forgot to mention that he was also going to electrocute Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1077025704135646242004-02-17T08:38:00.000-05:002004-02-17T08:51:01.840-05:00RIM RUNNER -- Day 2
I visited with Juwanda this morning. She's still out of it and looking thin and pale. I spoke with Herlioni about removing her 'loyalty chip' and he thinks it is going to be difficult to remove. That'll be another thing to worry about when we get her to a doctor.
The ship seems to be the worse for wear for the all male crew. I made Josh and Fret, the younger guys, helpIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076964176467126602004-02-16T15:42:00.000-05:002004-02-16T15:48:23.420-05:00RIM RUNNER -- Day 1
I have slept most of the trip so far. Jack came by and brought me some food, which is why I am a wake now. I am still feeling wasted from the two teleportations in such a short time frame. I had not told Jack before about my teleportations, but he already picked up on it during our previous telepathic contacts. He didn't think I had control of it and therefore it was Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076880562993596732004-02-15T19:29:00.000-05:002004-02-15T16:51:18.293-05:00NORICUM -- Day 9 (evening)
In the room where I was waiting I found the coat of a medic and changed into it. When the sign from Herlioni whispered in my mind I walked out into the hall and right into sickbay. I passed Treewrich himself on the way to Juwanda's room and I think the shock of it was enough to make me loose the control over my concentration.
Treewrich pointed to me, "There she isIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076879655586662132004-02-15T16:14:00.000-05:002004-02-15T16:28:00.716-05:00NORICUM -- Day 9 (afternoon)
I had not had any luck find Jack or the LIGHTFOOT and I decided not to waste any more time on it. The ROYAL FALCON commissioned a resupply contractor who makes daily trips to the large vessel. I snuck aboard one of their transports and hitched a ride to the ROYAL FALCON.
Once aboard I swiped one of the jackets and caps of the resuppliers and a small box of Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076857444037183352004-02-15T10:04:00.000-05:002004-02-15T10:08:50.233-05:00NORICUM -- Day 9
I have reached the starport and have not seen any sign of pursuit yet. I'm not convinced I'm in the clear.
I went to Starship Services and found out the LIGHTFOOT is not registered in orbit or the docks. Which means either they left or changed the name of the ship again. Either way they would not have gotten the messages I had been sending.
My first concern is for JuwandaIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076803220997436062004-02-14T19:00:00.000-05:002004-02-14T19:18:59.310-05:00NORICUM -- Night 8
Once I had reached the top of the ridge I knew where I was. I was above and about a quarter mile away from the camp with Treewrich's marines. They were still there, which indicated to me that he hadn't been able to make much progress with locating Jinny if his troops were still combing the area.
Without the stupid arm band I felt confident enough to pull a stunt. I was Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076767183253229102004-02-14T08:59:00.000-05:002004-02-14T09:05:13.170-05:00NORICUM -- Day 8
I was finally feeling better this morning until I saw who my sleeping mate was. There was a snake curled up in the hollow of my lap, and probably had been there since last night. Snakes will do this sometime for the warmth. On Ganesh it is considered a sign of good fortune to be so graced by a snake, but on Ganesh the snakes are not poisonous. I have no idea if this one Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076698297062698172004-02-13T13:51:00.000-05:002004-02-13T13:54:09.483-05:00NORICUM -- Day 7
I've slept almost the whole time since I appeared in the woods. No animals have bothered me, which is good. I have a massive headache, and if history is a guide it won't begin to subside until tomorrow.
I am worried for Juwanda and if my 'escape' will have negative repercussions for her.
I am hungry and thirsty, but would rather not move until the pain eased back a bit.
Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076628499115204342004-02-12T18:28:00.000-05:002004-02-12T18:57:22.496-05:00NORICUM -- Night 6
CRAP!
I was beginning to think this gig wasn't going to be so hard, and then the whole thing comes crashing down around me.
No one had come to see me since last night, then this afternoon I heard the thunder of boots in the hallway. Just as my door came crashing in, men in anti-grav gear smashed through my window. Suddenly the room was full of men in the uniform of the Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076545055331373072004-02-12T07:10:00.000-05:002004-02-11T19:20:05.826-05:00NORICUM -- Day 6
I spent much of last night contemplating about what I learned from Senator Randel. He had his ambitions certainly, but he also has a sense of morality that demand actions sometimes, instead of politics. He is of a rather large faction who are of the opinion that the nobility currently running the Banasdan subsector are cruel and overbearing, which I have personal witnessed Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076543881496816702004-02-11T18:58:00.000-05:002004-02-11T19:00:32.153-05:00NORICUM -- Night 5
The get-up Anna, the medic from the ROYAL FALCON, bought me is completely uncomfortable and so ugly it must be in fashion. It has a great huge flowing skirt to hide the mobility cast I still have to wear, but the rest of it is tight and mostly a lacy almost see through fabric.
We travelled in a huge caravan of air/rafts to the reception hall on the top of the glass LibertyIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076421662954859912004-02-11T06:52:00.000-05:002004-02-10T09:03:31.623-05:00NORICUM -- Day 5
Oh, yeah. This is not a good idea.
Treewrich has arranged for a meeting between him and 'his staff' and Randel, who is a senator by the way, and his staff. There is to be a big shindig this evening, and when he comes in and shakes the hands of everyone on 'Treewrich's staff' I will be among them and I am to use the contact to read him.
Boy, is that a bad idea. Even if I Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076420389275114642004-02-10T17:31:00.000-05:002004-02-10T08:42:17.390-05:00NORICUM -- Day 4 (evening)
I finally managed to slip away from the guard and find a quiet out of the way restaurant. I only had to wait a few minutes before Jack hurried in after me. We embraced for a long moment, then afraid of attracting attention, we sat down in a booth where we could watch the door.
"Let me see the arm band," he said. He poked and prodded it and began fiddling with theIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076419020442179032004-02-10T08:17:00.000-05:002004-02-10T08:21:19.200-05:00NORICUM -- Day 4
We've arrived in the capital city but getting a chance to read Randel isn't going to like grabbing the shop owner in Greono Heights. Randel has people around him for protection and since telepathy is illegal, we can't insist he submit to it. Treewrich, as a noble, is trying to arrange a meeting, but this planetary government likes to yank the chain of the nobles, so there isIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076342382940858842004-02-09T13:58:00.000-05:002004-02-09T11:02:09.496-05:00NORICUM -- Day 3 (afternoon)
I was waiting for the marines to return with only one left behind to watch over me when I was nearly overcome with a sudden wave of desire. I heard Jack in my head saying, “We’ve come for you.”
I replied, “Not yet.”
The contact broke and the marine was shaking me, his monitor beeping. He asked, “What was it?”
“Um… Nothing. I was just scanning for Jinny. But Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076341327079272292004-02-09T10:27:00.000-05:002004-02-09T10:44:33.903-05:00NORICUM -- Day 3 (mid day)
Greono Heights is a smallish town. I'm sure it is a place where everyone knows everyone and strangers stick out. The marines escorted me to a business that sells hunting and outdoor equipment. This is where the booby-trap registration was listed. As expected, the business owner claimed he didn't recall who he sold the device to.
That was when the marines clearedIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076258271822037972004-02-09T07:03:00.000-05:002004-02-08T11:40:17.513-05:00NORICUM -- Day 3
I'm on an air/raft enroute to Greono Heights. Needless to say, the marines and I are starting to take this mission personally. Still, though I am an outsider among them. They call me a mission specialist. I have asked, but not been told about Juwanda's condition. I have overheard that of the over 60 member team, 23 were killed yesterday.
Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076256140835612742004-02-08T18:34:00.000-05:002004-02-08T11:04:46.840-05:00NORICUM -- Day 2 (evening)
I'm resting in a tent that has been transformed into a field hospital for the minor injuries. Those with major injuries were transported back to the ROYAL FALCON, Juwanda among them. Her condition is critical, they say. The 'dragon' mauled most of the investigation team. My leg is not broken, just twisted. I have a wrap on it that is supposed to help the Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076173485523433812004-02-08T14:59:00.000-05:002004-02-07T12:07:10.170-05:00NORICUM -- Day 2 (afternoon)
The other patrols have returned. They didn't find the bodies, but they did find lots of blood and discarded weapons and equipment.
Before the marines could decide what to do next a roar rippled across the valley and a huge creature resembling a dragon swooped overhead. The marines fired at it, shredding the tree coverage, but apparently not harming the beast. Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076172432013137912004-02-08T11:43:00.000-05:002004-02-07T11:49:36.060-05:00NORICUM -- Day 2 (mid-day)
I was lounging around the camp watching the marines pass the time while the investigators and Juwanda checked out the starship again. That is when it happened...
I heard on some level the soft buzzing of an alarm, but that was not what my attention was riveted to. It was one of those overwhelming telepathic moments when the psychic forces are so strong and chargedIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076171478490667832004-02-08T07:21:00.000-05:002004-02-07T11:33:42.750-05:00NORICUM -- Day 2
I got up early this morning and went for a walk. I circumscribed a large arc around the starship, going far up the hillside. Most of the marines were still down in the camp. That's when I got the first tickle of it... Someone was watching us. I scanned the high ground on the other side of the valley but could not pinpoint the direction. My first thought was that it mightIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076170283218250702004-02-07T21:10:00.000-05:002004-02-07T11:13:47.733-05:00NORICUM -- Night 1 (late)
The initial search has not turned up anything useful. The marines are setting up camp for tonight. Juwanda and I are bunking in a large six-person tent with four female marines. I believe they're also supposed to keep an eye on us, just in case. Although with the loyalty devices, I don't expect they think we'll try anything stupid.
With the nightfall strange wildIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076169109047527362004-02-07T19:34:00.000-05:002004-02-07T10:55:28.030-05:00NORICUM -- Night 1
We just stepped off the transport a few minutes ago and I am waiting until I am called. My telepathy isn't much good without someone to use it on, or at least that is what the marines figure. They've taken Juwanda to check out the starship, which appears to have been abandoned.
Noricum is beautiful. The trees are thin, with soft, green bark, and wave like giant stalks ofIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076168506497508182004-02-07T18:35:00.000-05:002004-02-07T10:44:10.560-05:00ROYAL FALCON -- Day 6 (evening)
Juwanda and I were at the sensor station when we established orbit around Noricum. The planet has a low gravity and a dense atmosphere making for a large variety of aeriel life forms, some rather large. The moderately populated planet tends toward city living, leaving large regions void of human influence. It took less than an hour to locate the stolen Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076167388840022382004-02-07T12:01:00.000-05:002004-02-07T10:25:33.140-05:00ROYAL FALCON -- Day 6 (mid-day)
There must have been sixty people at the briefing. Treewrich isn't going to let the lack of firepower stand between him and the Grimola. The plan is for a sensor sweep of the planet to locate the stolen starship. If it is found, the marines will go in and secure the area. If they don't turn up anything then Juwanda and I go in to investigate.
I also learnedIsishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108197.post-1076120497189170022004-02-07T09:20:00.000-05:002004-02-06T21:24:00.843-05:00ROYAL FALCON -- Day 6
We'll be arriving at Noricum this evening. There is a briefing later today that Juwanda and I are to attend.
I was speaking with Juwanda last night about Treewrich. We agree that he probably didn't hire more experienced psions because his paranoia would turn them off working for him. More talented psions would spot him coming from a light year away and navigate clear of Isishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195900585961972908noreply@blogger.com