MINI-EVENT: RENDEZVOUS

[returnjourney]

MINI-EVENT: RENDEZVOUS

March 9th, 2022
Tasked with picking up some emergency botanical supplies, the Peregrine stopped in Meodriotope in February and is now making haste towards another ship, for a rendezvous and hand-off of the supplies. In late morning, the view out of the windows on one side of the Peregrine will be blocked almost entirely by another ship — the Feather, also from the Admiralty's fleet. The hand-off will take place here, between two ships.

In the afternoon (local Peregrine time), a mini transport from the other ship docks in the Peregrine's loading bay. Three passengers disembark to assist in the loading, have some brief conversations, and then be on their way.

If you have any questions about the event, please ask here.

Navigation |
FAQ |
The Peregrine |
Calendar |
Questions & Answers |
NPCs

1. Observing the Feather

The Feather is one of the oldest ships in the Admiralty's fleet, a fact that is perhaps less known than intuited, simply by looking at it. While the Peregrine's sleek helices and centre spire move through space like some deep-sea organism, the Feather is a great drifting whale, its broad and boxy body speckled with simple portholes. The sides are painted with murals — abstract swirls of colour, flowers the size of houses, massive birds flitting between them. There's text that must have taken quite the ladder to paint: "Hope is a thing with feathers!" The murals are patchy and worn, but there's a lot of love there.

But despite how massive it is, it floats weightless in space. It comes so close to the Peregrine's side that it almost seems like they could brush, and the ships' respective force-fields thrum as they "merge", blending into one large bubble. In the distance, one can see quite a number of passengers on an outside deck, gathered at the railings to watch. Too far to shout across, but certainly close enough to see tiny limbs waving hello!

In the observatory, the computer monologues:

"The Feather. Currently on the 18th year of its current mission. Current population consists of 295 wardens, 306 inmates, 5 graduates in-transition and 53 supporting staff. Most passengers are from Earth Variants. The Feather is currently headed by Navarch Margaret "Old Lady" Lloyd, a Navarch with 45 years of experience..."

2. Loading the Materials

Want to lend a hand? The more the merrier. The crates of Lover's Kiss must be brought to the loading bay, checked and then loaded into the waiting transport ship. Caution is a must; we can't have the flowers crushed or damaged when they're sorely needed for medicines at their final destination.

Helping, of course, are the representatives from the Feather: two wardens and an inmate. (They'll have their own top levels below!)

3. Rewards

Passengers identified to the Navarch as having assisted in the gathering efforts will have a delivery bot stop by with a clear plastic container fogged over by steam. The container is warm to the touch, and opening it reveals a lusciously greasy cheeseburger with all the fixings, a mound of thick-cut salted french fries, and the fattest, cheesiest, richest-looking slice of pizza known to mankind. The food is cradled by red food-wrapping sheets with a white PIZZA PLANET logo. Enjoy!

(Or kill someone for a french fry after weeks or months of eating processed food substitutes. You do you.)

4. Oops, Caught Red-Handed!

So there was that thing the Navarch said — the flowers are fragile and must be handled with care, as they are only useful intact. And sure enough, on the surface of Meodriotope, dutiful flower-pickers had discovered that if you plucked them too roughly, they'd explode, leaving red stains that take weeks to wear off skin, even with dutiful scrubbing. It's been weeks and they're just starting to fade, fortunately, but there's a second phase.

Passengers stained red might discover they're having trouble sleeping. The redder they are, the longer their minds refuse to rest. In severe cases, this results full-blown insomnia. In mild cases, the body may shut down while the mind remains completely alert. These effects could last anywhere between a few days to a full week.

Good luck!

Comments

observing;

[spanning]

The ship?

[It's distracted; Aki is busy leaning close to the glass, trying to get an idea of how big the Feather is compared to the Peregrine. He's careful not to overbalance to his left; he's missing an arm to catch himself, with only an empty sleeve.]

I guess it is more personalized.

[murderology]

[ That actually gives Jerry a thought, despite having been talking about something else. ]

Yeah, what gives? They should paint on ours. Like, flowers, or Winnie the Poo, or with the blood of our enemies!

[spanning]

[He shoots a sideways look at Jerry; the non-sequitur at the end sounds uncannily like something Power would say. And she'd mean it without an ounce of irony.]

That wouldn't be a very productive use for blood. Pretending any of us even has enough enemies for that.

[murderology]

[ Jerry finally spares Aki a glance, only now just noticing the obviously empty sleeve, which would indicate a missing limb. Damn. Guy doesn't even seem to have a prosthetic. Either way, his reaction isn't a visible one. One arm, six arms, he's seen it all. His best friend is missing a leg. ]

What, you don't think between all of us we could get some kickass enemies to ass kick? You know, a ship coated in blood is the ultimate deterrent!

[spanning]

[If he's honest, Aki has his suspicions about how many enemies everyone aboard could rack up. But he's more than learned some conversations are better left unentertained.]

A deterrent for what? All we've encountered are asteroids.

[murderology]

[ Cue several exaggerated blinks of surprise. ]

What? Not even space pirates? You serious?

[spanning]

Yes.

[Though that might be a side effect of how new the Peregrine is.]

Seeing other ships like this [he motions towards the Feather with his head] is pretty unusual, from what I understand.

[murderology]

[ Jerry looks back to the Feather, stroking the stubble on his chin. ]

So what you're saying is — these guys can totally be space pirates.

[spanning]

[...]

If you think the space pirates took over a ship with hundreds of passengers, chose to rendezvous with us for some flowers, and then tricked the Navarch into allowing them to dock a transport, then yes.

They can totally be space pirates.

[There is zero difference between his serious and sarcastic inflection.]