Introduction

I suppose I should apologise a little for the short seesion on Tuesday, but I did want to specifically end on the Series Finale Cliff Hanger and we got through everything quicker than I thought we would.

That said there is one element I did not cover in the session, as it would have meant a possibly length secret squirrel with Kevin. It is at the end of the log but the only PC who knows anything about this is Seven!

When we pickup after the break for James's and then Matt's holidays we will be starting Season 3. The problem with season 3 is that a lot of your freedom is going to be constrained by the writers, particulalry in Episode 1, and particulalry because of the massive hole in the plot line which I can sort of partially cover, based on some of the things I said about EOS-7 and the system.

Now, if you remember EOS-7 is supposed to be one of the most secure stations in the galaxy because of the Asanov Field which prevents FTL transit withing 7 light minutes(0.84AU). This means that it must be at least this distance, and allowing for gravitational distortion of satelite orbits, probably 2AU from any other planet in the system. Note there is also the element that having a planet inside the field allows you to hide forces/ships/etc either on or behind the planet, which sort of completely negates the point of the field. As I also point out FTL capable shuttles are massive, thus any escape pods the station may have (why wouldn't it?) can't be FTL capable, they're just too small. So if we assume that any escape pods are just going to get people away from the station and keep them alive for say 5 days to allow for rescue, then logically they'd have smallish engines with limited capability, just enough to get the pods out of harms way, say 3 minutes at 5G (49ms^-2\) which equates to a velocity of 8,830ms-1. Now the Razza has a top sub-light speed of approx 0.12% of the speed of light (359,751 ms-1). To cover 1AU would take the Razza 115.5 hrs (5.8days approx). So for an escape pod to travel 2AU to a planet in the system at 8,830ms-1 would take 9412 hrs (470game days). So an escape pod is not going to leave the space station and land on the planet in the system in a few hours, which according to the writers is what happens, when its just totally not possible (magic teleporter anyone?). This is the hole (understatement) that I have to work around! Somehow!

One last thing, which I touched on after we'd reached the cliff-hanger ending and stopped for the evening, which is a replacement character for Jon.

Now there are several options but not all of them are currently obvious, because I have a couple of changes from the Series storyline which I'm going to throw in at the appropriate time. This means that the only 'currently' available option would be a GA somebody who manages to escape to safety from the station. Now because of the way things are, this somebody, if they're associated with Law Enforcement, ie neither a 'Tech' nor a 'pen pusher' nor a 'hospitality worker', is that they have to not be associated with any of the mega-corps, so like Varrick(Six), Anders, Shaddick, or Kierken, they have to be 'non-corrupt', which likely means they're been passed over for the best jobs and is somewhat disillusioned with the GA. The chances are that when Kierken 'picked' them for his team on this assignment they thought it was recognition at last, only to find out that Kierken was as much of an arse-hole as most of the others, so pre-occupied with brining in the crew of the Razza, including Griffen Jones/Karl Varrick (which you wouldn't have known was his real name nor that he was GA or Ex-GA until Kierken arrested him and let the cat out of the bag) that he wouldn't listen to what Varrick was telling him even after the first off station explosion.

Explosive Endings

We pick up with Five, having exited the storage room leaving Arrian to finish healing, on her way back towards the conferance chamber via some circuitous route known only to the script writers, and Two, Three, and Six boarding the Marauder to make the short journey to the compromised hanger where the Ferrous shuttle (which is an FTL capable shuttle) is docked.

In the Auditorium the Conference Chairman brings the meeting to order.
Conference Chair "The chair recognises Commander Niehman representing the Ferrous Corporation. Commander."
Niehman "Mr Chairman. Distinguished members of the Council. Let me get straight to the point, These are difficult times, I think on that we can all agree. And while change may sometimes be necessay, and indeed inevitable, difficult times require stability. Now is not the time to make alterations to the Council by introducing new members. This is the time for very careful consideration, of our actions and the consequences of those actions. That is why I must vote against those changes brought forward by my distingished colleague from Traugott Corporation, and why I urge all of you to do the same."
Conference Chair "Thankyou Commander. As there are no other submissions, we will now put the proposal to a vote."
Vote taken.
Conference Chair "We have the results. They are as follows. seven votes For, five Against, and one Abstention. The resolution passes."
Niehman is pissed. Smack his hand down on the desk.
Conference Chair "Commander? Do you have something more to say?"
Niehman "No Mr Chairman, it's simply to request a recess. I find these proceedings to be quite exhausting."
Conference Chair "Granted. Council is adjourned for 1 hour."
Five remains seated and watching. Niehman says something to Arrian. Then walks away, leaving Arrian behind. Arrian leaves the conference chamber. Five follows him.

Six lands the Marauder in the hanger a short distance from the Ferrous shuttle. Two, Three, and Six disembark and make their way into the station. Two pauses to hand Three and Six, small devices, approximately the size of a small pager.
Two "Take these," (handing small hand held devices to Three and Six) "The Android callibrated them to detect any trace of Terrarium Radiation"
Three "There's now way we can search this whole station."
Two "Stick to the upper levels. If someone managed to get a bomb on board, there's no way they would risk getting caught by trying to sneak it into a restricted area. My guess is that its in somebody's quarters. If you get within 10m of a source you'll know it."
They split up to cover more ground.

Two, by means known only to the writers, locates Ryo's quarters and makes her way there. When the conference is adjourned Ryo returns to his quartes to find Two waiting for him.
Ryo "I was wondering when I would see you again."
Two "We need to talk."
Ryo moves to pour drinks.
Ryo "These Diplomats, All they do is talk. And I thought Boone could be tiresome."
He moves to hand the drink to Two, who passes "I'm good."
Ryo "Why are you here Portia? Sorry Two"
Two "You're in danger."
Ryo "Aren't we all?"
Two "You know that in the Alternate Reality, it was the destruction of EOS-7 that started the war."
Ryo "And you think the same thing will happen here?"
Two "We thing Ferrous smuggled a bomb on board. Three and Six are searching for it now."
Ryo "I also studdied the events as they unfolded in the Alternate Reality. When the war broke out the Corporations backing Zairon's enemies had to withhold their resources. It was the turning point that saved the House of Ashieda."
Two "Are you telling me you want the war to happen?"
Ryo "My people are already at War.Thousands have died. Millions more will follow. You can help me."
Two "What are you talking about?"
Ryo "The Blink Drive. Let my scientists study it." (Two starts shaking her head) "I'll give you safe harbour on Zairon until we can replicate it."
Two "It's far to powerful to give to any military force."
Ryo "Every major Corporation is persuing their own version of it. Who ever gets their first will have an advantage. You can choose who that is."
Two "That's a little bit too much of a responsibility."
Ryo "In the right hands it could save millions."
Two "In the wrong hands it could enslave millions." (Moving to leave) "I'm sorry Ryo, I can't help you."
Ryo (as Two is exiting the room) "I could have you arrested."
Two "I know." (She leaves).

Elsewhere Six is searching one of the other levels. As he turns a corner into another corridor, 2 GA Officers enter from the 2 side corridors ahead of him. As he turns around, he finds 2 more are coming up behind him. Behind them is Kierken
Kierken "Going somewhere?"
     (approaching Six) "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time Lt Karl Varrick"
They cuff Six and escort him to the Brig. He tries to warn Kierken of the impending bomb plot but Kierken isn't interested in listening.

Now we move to another of the Writers "stupid scenes" as amply demonstrated in the session, although Five in-game does not have Hand-To-Hand combat skill she's been learning in the series.
Five about to enter restricted area. Is grabbed from behind and dragged into the room. It's Boone.
Five "Three. What the Hell?"
Three "I didn't want you to scream."
Five "What like you just did?"
Three "That wasn't a scream. It was a manly cry of pain."
Five "I was just about to contact you. Four is here."
Three "Yeah we know. Has he spotted you."
Five "Yeah he definately knows we're here."
Three (pacing) "This is definately going to complicate things."
             "Okay listen. The Android thinks the bomb is Terrarium based. She sent us in with these detectors."
Five "Let me see." Three hands her his detector.
Three "We've been sweeping the upper levels but nothing."
Five "Wait a minute, how did you get on board."
Three "The Marauder. Ferrous rigged one of the docking bays so they could leave without anyone noticing. It's definately them."
Five realizing who/what the bomb is.
Five "Ferrous just lost a big vote. Then they called for a recess."
Three "Oh shit" (pulling off the penguine attire) "We're out of time. I'm calling the others."
Five "Wait. Not yet. Go to the Marauder and prep for launch. Give me 10 minutes."
Three "Five?"
Five "I think I might know where the bomb is."

Kierken, Six, and another guard armed with a stunner reach the brig.
Kierken "inside"
Six "This space station is in danger."
Kierken "I have no doubt. Who else is here with you? Boone, Lin?"
Six "We're not the problem. It's Ferrous Corp. They bought a bomb on board. I don't know how they got it past your sensors, but you have to believe me."
Kierken "No I don't."
Six "They were going to be murdered before they ever got to trial. That's not justice."
Kierken "What does Ashieda have planned?"
Six "Ashieda, he's got nothing to do with this."
Kierken "So it's just a coincidence that the two of your are here together at the same time?"
Six "I didn't even know he was going to be here."
Kierken "You work together."
Six "Not any more. It can't be him because unlike Ferrous Corp he doesn't have a way of getting off the station without setting off an alarm."
Note: Kierken relieves Six of his comm device.

Two waits out of sight where she can obseve Ryo's quarters unseen. A few minutes later, Ryo exits and is joined by Misaki, and another Ashieda Guard. Two follows them as they make their way to the lower levels. They reach a point where the corridor Ryo and Misaki are about to enter lead to the docking hangers.  Ryo says something to the guard who heads off in the opposite direction. Two waits until Ryo and Misaki are out of sight before following the guard. She is just in time to see him enter a restricted area, but is prevented from any further action by the appearance of a GA guard who asks her what's she doing. She makes some excuses but the Guard sends her back towards the main conference facilities.

Three enters the lower levels to make his way to the hanger where the Marauder is. Suddenly a "thug" in Ferrous dress steps out in front of him. The thug has a pipe wrench in his hands.
Three "Hey Buddy. You look a little over dressed for a mechanic. Just heading back to my shuttle."
Thug doesn't move.
Three "You know what I'll take the long way around."
As he turns he's hit by a second thug with a wrench. They play tag knocking him down and beating him.
Niehman then appears.
Niehman "Mr Boone..... It's been a while since you double crossed us in that mining colony."
        "Now what brings you all the way out here?"
Three "We know about your plot to bomb the station. We're here to stop you."
Niehman "That's unlikely."
The thugs resume using Three as a medicine ball/Kick Boxing punch bag, until he passes out.

Five has returned to the Auditorium.
Conference Chair "Ladies and Gentlemen would you please take your seats. Council is brought back to order."
Five notices that Niehman is missing. Then spots Arrian back in the position he was in before.
Conference Chair "The next matter on the Agenda is the continuing unrest in the outer colonies."
Arrian notices Five staring at him. He turns and heads for the exit. Five follows him.

It takes Five a while to catch up with him..
Five "Arrian!"
he continues, Five persues.
Five "Arrian!"
She turns a corner and he's waiting for her
Five "The Ferrous Corporation Delagation left didn't they?"
Arrian "Yes"
Five "Without you" (approaching Arrian cautiously) "Why would they do that?"
Her Terrarium sensor starts bleeping.
Five "I knew it. You're the bomb."
Five "This device is detecting the Terrarium in your system."
Arrian "Then my shielding has begun to degrade. You have to get off this station."
Five "No!"
Arrian "You were kind to me. Even after you found out I was not human. I don't want you to die."
Five "Then de-activate the bomb."
Arrian "I can't. It's inside me but I have no control over it. Only Commander Niehman has the deactivation code."
Five "Then shutdown. I'll get you back to our ship. Find a way to deactivate it."
Arrian "Shutting down won't make any difference. You have to leave now."
Five "What about all the other people on this station?"
Arrian "There is nothing I can do for them."
Five "That upgrade didn't just change the way you talk. It changed the way you think, and feel. You tried to help me before you knew I could be trusted. Why?"
Arrian "I don't know."
Five "I do. Because I know someone just like you."
Arrian "An android?"
Five "A friend. She's saved my life I don't know how many times, and not because she's programmed to, but because she cares."
     "Once you start to care, then its not so easy to turn your back when something terrible is about to happen. Arrian this could start a war. There has to be something we can do."
Arrian "Yes. You are right. There is a way."
He turns and races away down the corridor.
Five "Where are you going? Arrian!" (she tries to follow him)
She reaches the airlock just as he locks the inner doors.
Five "No Wait"
The airlock cycles and Arrian is expelled.
The bomb detonates harmlessly away from the station, although it is struck by the blast wave.

Elsewhere, and unknown to Three who is still out cold, Anders has discovered him, and taken his comm unit.

As the blast wave from the bomb hits the station, the conference chair attempts to restore order in the Auditorium. Kierken meanwhile order the station place in lock down, sealing the delegates into the Auditorium.
Kierken "This is Chief Inspector Kierken of the Galactic Authority. Please remain calm. We are in the process of investigating an explosion that occurred off station. Preliminary assessement reveals no structural damage to the station itself. However, be advised security protocols have been enacted and this station is now under lockdown."

Two puts her comm unit into her ear. She decides to go an investigate where she saw the Ashieda Guard disappear. She has gone only a short distance when she receives a broadcast message from Lisa.
Lisa "Two, Three, Five, Six, If you can hear me you must return to the ship."
Two "Android this is Two. There was an explosion outside the station, I think one of the others might have found the bomb and spaced it."
Lisa "That may be true, but I believe there may now be another threat."
Two "What do you mean?"
Lisa "Four has a plot in place to destroy the station. You have less than 20 minutes to get here."
Two "How do you know this?"
Lisa "He was on board. I'm sorry. He used some kind of Deactivation Code I wasn't aware of. He took the Blink Drive."
Two "Shit. Is anyone else reading this? Please respond."
Kierken "I am. This is Chief Inspector Kierken. I already have one of your people. I took the liberty of borrowing his communication device. You are not getting off this station. You can save us all a lot of time and trouble if you just turn yourself in. Now!"
Two "If you've been monitoring this channel then you just heard the message I just got from my ships Android."
Kierken "Yes it sounded almost convincing."
Two "I saw a member of the Ashieda delegation enter a restricted area, they've already breached your security."
Kierken "You're lying."
Two "He could be anywhere by now. Life support. The Reactor Core. Where would you go if you were trying to destroy the station."
Kierken "And whilst we're off on this wild goose chase, what will you be doing?"
Two "Listen to me. The lives of everyone on this station are in your hands. They should be your priority."

Two continues to make her way down toward the area she saw the guard. Suddenly an large explosion rips through part of the station, disrupting the main power grid. As the main power grid fails, Six finds the forcefield confining him to the brig has gone down, allowing him to escape.
Five meanwhile has reached the conference auditorium. As the throng of delegates rushes past her, Truffault appears and grabs hold of her "Come with me". She drags Five in the opposite direction to the stream of delegates.

Another series of explosions rip through the station blowing it apart.

The corridor section behind Two is suddenly ruptured by several large pieces of shrapnel. She is temporarilly stunned by the EMP wave and the force of the Blast.

Okay now to the bit that only Seven knows anything about.
It takes place shortly after Lisa makes the broadcast call to Two, Three, and Six. As she is speaking she is making her way back to the bridge from the port side airlock. As she enters the bridge she stops.

Lisa (sounding highly distressed and upset which means its difficult to actually determine whether she says Devon or Seven)  "Devon, can you come to the bridge please urgently".
Seven will arrive before Devon does as his room is closer. Lisa is standing in the doorway to the bridge which is open. A short distance away lying on the floor is Nyx.
Her right arm is swollen, purple, and shot through with dark lines. It appears there is a short cut on her forearm.
As Seven moves to examine her, its quite clear she is dead, Devon arrives. Devon will join Seven.
Seven "Shit. It looks like she's been poisoned."
Devon "Agreed, that sort of swelling and marking are consistent with some form of poison. It's likely to have been fast acting, she wouldn't have had anythime to call for help."
Lisa "It was Ryo. He was on-board. He stole the Blink Drive. I thought he liked her."
Devon "There's nothing we can do. If we get her to Med Bay then I can take some swabs from the wound and possibly determined what was used. My guess is some form of contact neuro-toxin on the blade that caused that cut."

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