The Legonater

The woman looks Varen over as he approaches. Hey there, hotshot. I'm, uh, gonna pass on the special flask - but I'll take the order. Drinks'll be 5 each. I'll be with ye in jus' a moment. One of the uniformed men gives an overeager wave in return. Greetings, citizen! Merei Persuasion Check (DC 1) - 3, 4, 5 (2 Successes) As the barkeep begins preparing drinks, he ponders Merei's questions. Well, menu's easy enough, here's what we have: As for yer friends, I do think I recall a Titania an' a Eston, though they passed by here quite a few days apart. Last one came here, oh, say a week ago? You say you're friends with both of 'em? Merei Insight Check (DC 1) - 4, 1, 5, 2 (2 Successes) The bartender seems open and honest enough.

MM Note: I'm going to be out for most of the day, so I'll move things along for you all. How about a diner and bar? Most people are gathered over there. To the diner, then! Cygnus takes the lead, stepping through light grey corridors touched with teal and lingering dust. After only a moment, the corridor opens into a wide diner and bar. Like the rest of Port 927-C, at one point it was surely a bright, gleaming area. Now, however, several of the lights have dimmed or died, granting a seedy quality to the surroundings. The heroes look around at the many patrons. A Chimeran works at the bar, serving two uniformed men. At one table are a group of three individuals in matching armour, and the table past them seats three engineers. Also at the bar is another human woman, and sitting alone is a feline Chimeran. Lastly, a distinguished looking man is just beginning to start a conversation with someone with Adamite components of some kind. I imagine at least some of these are regulars. Let’s see what we can find out. What will the heroes do?

I can take that energy cell if y'all want, it's pro'lly going to do the most in my hands.

The heroes settle in for the flight. Some continue talking, some try to get some rest, others take the time to mediate. Jace had returned into the cockpit for most of the duration, but after quite some time he stepped back into the crew hold, and tapped lightly on the metal ceiling until everyone was paying attention. Look alive, folks. We’re here. Through the viewscreen the heroes can see the silhouette of Port 927-C, Port Charon, cast against the bright nebulae that lay beyond. As they get closer, they realize that it’s a surprisingly small station, and one that is showing its age. It its prime, it would have been a top-of-the line model. Now, it is in the process of becoming dilapidated, out of unuse more than abuse. Only a sparse few ships seem to docked here at the edge of the Euripides Arm. Taking us in. Cygnus takes the same position she did when leaving Ebria, closing her eyes and dipping her head in silence. Even with her eyes shut she is able to deftly guide Actaeon towards the old station. She looks back up to active a display on the viewscreen that shows all the docking stations available on the port’s nearest arm. She seems to only need to glance at the display for a moment before nodding and then bringing the shuttle in for a landing. Actaeon’s docking ramp touches down, revealing the station beyond. Welcome, everyone, to what they call the Last Stop in the Universe.

Thanks, I really appreciate it! It's been a long time since Duplovia and I'm already feeling a lot more confident about this one. I'm excited for you all to see what's in store!

Oh, I think both of your choices are the right call on a practical level, I was just throwing in some RP!

Hypothetically, sure. If all else fails we can try to tow Valencia back home, but it'll be an awfully slow ride and a strain on our engines. I can make it work. There's also the possibility that Valencia's in good enough shape to fly herself, but I wouldn't lay all our chips on that one. There's not an official Hart dock there like there is on Ebria. We'll be all on our lonesome. None taken. Strap in then, folks, or take some Z's if you need. I'll let you know when we're arriving. MM Note: I'll update in a couple hours, but feel free to interact amongst yourselves if you want!

What are you doing!? the pilot hollers, seeing Max and Valesia at the center of the action. Get out of there! Soren steps over to E5 and fires a third time. Come this way, you big metal bastard! WBD, do you mean B1? I'm not sure you can get to B2 with the drone there.

Don't mind him, this is all he's stressed about for the past few weeks. Poor guy's getting jumpy. Jace pinches his nose with his thumb and forefinger for a moment before straightening. The sooner this is all over with, the better, right? Anyways, I can't imagine why anyone would get so up in arms about this particular freighter, unless they somehow caught wind of the manifest. Pirates I can deal with, but I say we call it in the moment we get a whiff of Blackguard. Agreed. It's bad enough with Oc|Tan getting at our necks, we don't want to rile up Blackguard too. Anyways, any other questions?

The last confirmed location of both the freighter and the search teams was Port 927-C. Anything after that, your guess is as good as mine. No hard feelings then, right? It's now Jace's turn to side-eye Zaria. To be clear, our primary goal is retrieval. We have clients still waiting in Cosmopoli for whatever goods they've ordered. Produce, riches, supplies, it's all going to be in there, and an onboard manifest should be on Valencia herself to document what everything is and where it's going. Obviously, we won't be able to pack it all into this shuttle, but if all goes well we should be able to ping Valencia's location so that a proper recovery team can come and grab whatever's still good and ship it safely to Cosmopoli. I mean, that said... ...part of Mortizar's interest in this freighter specifically is that he had some high-profile personal items being shipped as well. If we can ensure the security of those, we might be able to have a discussion over some of the cargo. Who's to say what gets lost in these conditions, after all?

Jace, I swear, if you piss off the priest she's going to be least of your issues. I'll come back there and kick your megablocks myself. I- er, right. Apologies, Zaria, and thank you for your prayer. Just being thorough, is all. The plan is to pass through the general area. Let me explain: Right, so, as you’ve been informed, about two months ago we lost all contact with Hart Mortizar Shipping’s Valencia, a standard Hart-model freighter. For reasons of customer privacy, I don’t have access to the freighter’s full manifest, but I’ve been authorized to know that HMS Valencia was carrying high-priority cargo from past the Tehanui-lyon system along the edge of the Euripides Arm to Cosmopoli. We’re talking the fringes of deep space. Now I’m not sure why exactly they were out that deep, that’s just one of many questions I have about this whole mess. What I do know is that Valencia last reported in from Port 927-C, apparently known in those parts as Port Charon. The name’s little too ominous for me. After setting off, Valencia wasn’t heard from again. Nobody knows why. We can make some educated guesses. Space is spooky; wild space is spookier. The port is one of the last stops between Cosmopoli and Khazarak-Ellarial, and the surrounding depths of space are dangerous. Best case scenario is that some natural phenomenon knocked them off course and that Valencia is alive and well and just needs some repairs. A high-profile Hart freighter vanished entirely, Jace. This is more than some natural phenomenon. …Mr. Mortizar has any number of public enemies, not to mention private ones. Cygnus is convinced that this is some sort of corporate espionage, and I admittedly can’t disprove her. But the fact is we know relatively little. The search parties didn't seem to get past the port; those parties were led by agents Titania and Eston, by the way. So the plan is to head to Port 927-C so that we can poke around and find any clues that might be lying around there. That’s the Coles Notes, anyways – I assume you folks must have questions?

Feeling the ground come alive beneath his feet, Soren rolled to E3 and fired again at the drone. Yeah, still managing. That thing is built like a tank, though - it's going to take Max and I some time to chip through its armour. 'You think you've got a solid hold on it?

They say it's a good omen to have a priest of Varuth on travels like this. For what it's worth, I feel safer having you out here; let's hope we can all get along a bit better than your last outing. "Anything" is a damn bold claim, I'll hope you can back it up. We can definitely always use a steady gun in case things get too hot. At that, Jace pulled back his jacket, showing off a sidearm strapped to his leg. The man gave a winning smile, but something in his eyes made it clear that he was stilling mulling over a few of Varen's words. Jace takes the brochure and flicks through it a little, nodding. Reaching back, he passes it up to the cockpit. Cygnus, look! We got some more travel reading! She grabs the pamphlet and looks it over, before tucking it in with her controls. Good. Anything's better than that shit you find in Ætherspace. Uncalled for. Well, Kirwin, let's hope this journey doesn't have any more severed arms for you. Unless- do you want to see more severed arms? ...I still don't exactly expect anything of the like. I like the confidence. You'd be surprised how much skills can transfer. We'll actually pass by that way soon; maybe we'll be able to make use of your expertise. But you raise an... interesting point. Jace glances back and forth across the heroes, sorting through thoughts. So it seems like this Heroica of yours is a fairly fresh organization? You folks have only done a job or two each? I don't want to mislead you all or anything; this ain't going to be an easy op. I've already sent two Hart search parties out to track down this freighter, and have gotten radio silence from both of them. Mortizar is putting the pressure down from on top, and you all are my last shot. ...Not to put too much pressure on you or anything. I just want to be sure I'm getting my money's worth.

Jace lovingly rubs a hand on the shuttle's engine as he ushers everyone inside. Actaeon is a fairly standard-issue Hart shuttle, so speed isn't really her specialty as much as reliability. We've thought about alleviating that, but for now she's still technically a loner, so I don't think they'll let anyone get under her hood. For now, Actaeon's real specialty comes from her pilot. Everyone on-board? Good. Time to kiss Ebria goodbye. The woman in front seems to close her eyes and dip her head for a moment before straightening and playing at the controls. In a moment, the shuttle was blasting off into space. She's to the point, but she's never wrong. I suppose more formal introductions are in order; as I said before, my name is Jace Orion. I am a paid associate of Mr. Jefferson Hart Mortizar, the man behind Hart Industries. I'm the guy they send out to overview problems with shipping and handling that fall outside of what we might call the norm. Sometimes it's a lot of pencil-pushing, sometimes it's... this. Up in the front we have my associate- Cygnus. Alexa Cygnus. She can be rough around the edges, but if I've learned anything in this business, it's that it's best not to do things alone. Cygnus has a certain... touch that I don't. Also, I figured it’d be good to have another pair of eyes. And they all say I have the best eyes in the business. They don’t. To business, Jace. Right, of course. Before we get started, I'd like to know who we're working with. You all seemed to avoid my earlier question, which just makes a guy like me all the more curious - what am I really getting with a group like Heroica? Are you all experienced in this sort of thing?

Damn, this is the easy option? Everyone stay sharp - if any of us get caught in those detonations it's going to be bad news. Luckily this thing is sitting sqaut in Max and I's range. Soren starts in E1 and stays put, firing at the drone with his calibrated handgun.

MM Note: Stats should be all updated! The heroes continue to glance aimlessly around the hanger, making small talk, until a man’s head pops into view from around the shuttle before them. After spotting the heroes, the man’s eyes go wide and he leaps back into the ship. "Look alive, they’re here! They- What do you mean you knew that? You saw them come and you didn’t- fine, okay, just start the pre-flight checks." There’s some noise of rummaging from within, and then the man steps back outside. Sorry about the wait, heroes – this way, in the shuttle. A little confused, the heroes follow suit and step around towards the loading ramp of the Hart ship. Inside they fight a tight, cramped interior, with a man in dark brown leathers shutting closed an overhead container. Behind him, the heroes can just make out a woman with a metallic arm working away at the controls. Hearing the heroes approach, the man turns towards them and gives a quick friendly wave. Hey there! Sorry again about all this; we weren’t expecting you to show for another hour or so. Hart rents this shuttle out to me personally, so don’t mind any mess you find in here. He picks up a grey Hart cap and briefly shows it to the group as an example before tossing it back into the cockpit. My name’s Jace Orion, I’m going to be your handler for the next while. If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to get us going sooner rather than later, so if you could all pile on board, we can begin burning starlight before I give you all the rundown. You're missing one. Jace glances back at the cockpit for a minute, before scrambling and pulling a piece of paper from his pocket. Wha- damnit. Do, uh... you folks wouldn't know a Varen Nastayo, would you? I’m afraid I’m not quite sure how this “Heroica” thing really works; are you all acquainted with each other? You’ve all done this sort of thing before, right? MM Note: @KotZ

Fair points. Priorities are priorities. Let's head to the dunes, then. And let's hope there's no sand worms 'n these parts.

I wouldn't much mind a bit of extra digital coin, an' I can't reckon this bot is really that impressive. But I suppose if Max and you are both keen to keep things safer, I can be fine with that.

MM Note: Alright, the thread is updated and ready to go, everyone!

The Mission Board lights up as another tinny Hart fanfare plays from the speakers, updating one final time. Chosen Heroes for Mission 7: Varen (KotZ) Zaria (Kintober) Merei (Zepher) Kirwin (karmajay) Please make any final changes and gather in the Hart Logistics hanger on the Northern Docks within 24 hours.

Can do, thanks. Eurobricks not having the option to self-delete posts has always been the strangest choice to me.

Whoops, was messing around with post formats and accidentally hit the enter button. Could someone delete my quest page?

Having heard the call, the heroes navigate the busy corridors of Ebria Station towards the Northern Docks. There, they congregate in the spacious Hart Logistics hanger. They are overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the space; crewmembers dart back and forth around them as shuttles and freighters come in to land and take-off. Support vehicles whirl in every direction, ferrying supplies across the dock. Giant command towers stand at the walls of the hanger, commanding traffic. Beyond the gate shielding, the heroes can see the wide expanse of space beyond. Lost in all the hustle and bustle of the station, the heroes find themselves gathering together on the hangar floor. Party: Kirwin (karmajay)Character Points: 1/14Vitality: 6/6Velocity: 1Strength: 2Skill: 1Smarts: 3Proficiencies: Coding 2, Piloting 1, Engineering 2, Explosives 1, Technology 2 Credits: 18Equipment: Drone (Standard Long Range Elemental Weapon), Utility BeltInventory: 4 Hampering Minor Chemical Contained grenades, 2 Plasma Potions, Adventuring Leathers (Standard Kinetic Armour), Hacking Chip Merei TeoAge 24 Female, Helioi-Touched Celestial (Born Menahi)Character Points: 0/14Vitality: 6/6Velocity: 2Strength: 2Skill: 2Smarts: 3Spirit: 3/3Proficiencies: Occult 1, Religion 1, Coding 1, Insight 1Known Spells: Healing Light, Solar Flare, Gravity SinkCredits: 145Equipment: Teo Family Pocket-Watch (Kinetic Weapon), Utility Belt (Grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Success) Inventory: Essence of Intellect, Aetherbrew, Plasma Potion, Nanite Elixir Varen Nastayo (KotZ)26, Male, HumanCharacter Points: 1/13Vitality: 5/5Velocity: 2Strength: 2Skill: 2Smarts: 2Spirit: 0Proficiencies: Culture 2, Deception 1, Insight 1, Persuasion 2, Long Range Weapon 1, Coding 1*Known Spells (if applicable): Credits: 115Equipment: Lawyer's Rifle (Standard Long Range Energy weapon), Translator CubeInventory: 1x Essence of Glibness, 1x Essence of Intellect, Ion Repeater (Standard Energy Long Range Weapon), Adrenaline Decoction, 2x Bulking Stim Zaria Kanara (Kintobor)226 Year Old Female ElfCharacter Points: 1/15Vitality: 6/6Velocity: 3Strength: 2Skill: 2Smarts: 1Spirit: 2/2Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Religion 2, Melee Weapons 2Known Spells: Warding Bond, Sonic Sweep, Enhanced VisionCredits: 125Equipment: Power Khopesh (Standard Kintetic Melee Weapon), Dune Sea Armour (Standard Kinetic Armour), Farsight GogglesInventory: Plasma Potion (3), Aether Brew, Essence of Toughness, Holoscroll MM Note: Welcome to Quest 7! Excited to finally be launching. If you have any questions, feel free to instant message me, or post OoC in the thread. Feel free to shop a little more, and please confirm your stats and involvement within the next 24 hours!

Here to ditto Kint; feel free to sign up for #7!

The pilot flinches slightly at the sight of his reflection. He didn't enjoy not being able to see the faces of the people he was dealing with. At Aileen's words, he shrugs. 'Life's imbalanced. People win, people lose, the folks on top win a lot more than those below. 'Don't see how these parts are different than anywhere else.