Go, Boldly - Space Exploration
- Thread starter Decamper
- Start date
inthesomeday
Immortan
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2015
- Messages
- 2,798
E.S.S. Leviathan
Captain Sandoval Park III
(Academic, Diplomatic)
Ship Points: Weapons 1, Engines 2, Shields and Armour 2, Scanners and Communications 3, Stealth 1
Crew Points: Security 2, Command 3, Engineering 1, Science 2, Medical 1
Ship Sprite: 1, 2 (Gold)
Lieutenant Aisha Gould (Pilot)
2nd Lieutenant Jamal McNamara (Psychologist)
Ensign Natasha Patel (Linguist)
Extra:
Sandoval Park III was born on Earth, in North America, in one of the world's largest cities, Denver. He is the third in a prestigious line of academics. His grandfather was the first of the family to graduate, having immigrated to the former United States during a period of worldwide famine and economic recession. He set the tradition of the men in the Park family attending the University of Denver for the social sciences, himself earning a degree in macroeconomics and serving as an important economic adviser to numerous political regimes during the reconstruction. Sandoval Jr. grew up in the presence of powerful individuals, and as such managed to some degree to coast on his father's success, eventually becoming an accomplished sociologist who had a part in the planned mining cities in the Jupiter region. While Jr. was by no measures a disappointment, growing up in affluence made him weak when compared to his father, and he set off to create a more casual and happy life for his family and children outside of the realm of politics and influence. When Sandoval III was a teenager, however, the War of the Alliance broke out, and his father was called to mediate in the Jupiter region with some of the mining communities he had helped design. This left Sandoval III to take charge of the household and earn for his mother and siblings, which created an atmosphere of adversity similar to that Sandoval Sr. grew up in. Years later, once Sandoval Jr. had returned, Sandoval III entered and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Denver with a Doctorate in Anthropology. When the Alpha Centauri signal was first detected, the SEA's official space program head-hunted the Park family's prodigal son and placed him at the charge of a scientific ship responsible for making contact with the new alien signal. A young and ambitious scholar, Park is determined to identify the signal's root and live up to the shining examples set by his father and grandfather before him. Though inexperienced with the nuances of space travel, he intends to quickly learn and become worthy of the E.S.S. Leviathan, one of humanity's best scientific ships.
Aisha Gould's story is in many ways the opposite of Sandoval Park III's. Born to a poor mining family on the backwater moon of Rhea, Saturn, in the tiny community of Niemat Allah, Aisha learned to fly in the family hover cruiser. At the wee age of 11 when the War began, Aisha was nonetheless conscripted to fly cargo for the Free Alliance because of her natural talent. Soon, after her maneuvers were observed by soldiers on board her delivery objective ships, she was (at the age of 12) promoted to small fighter combat units. It turned out that, while her knack for combat was equally outstanding to her knack for flying, she had no stomach for violence, and too much of a strong will to blindly follow orders. By the end of the war, she had been discharged for failing to pull the trigger in a few key tactical situations. At age 13, she was back to the mining home she grew up in, and the war she had been so young to witness was over. Over the following few years, she continued to do odd jobs flying in her family's neck of the Saturnian woods, with her penchant for maneuvering allowing her to make trips that others would find too dangerous, able to weave in and out of dense rock fields. Eventually, she was rehired by the government (this time the Earth government) to aid in the reconstruction program, once again as a pilot. While in the system, her family received many financial and political benefits; however, she also saw the cruel and sometimes brutal operations the Earth government resorted to as means of keeping control over the rebellious colonies. She became disillusioned with government work, but climbed the ranks nonetheless for her family's benefit. She was selected to fly one of the most important ships in the response to the Alpha Centauri signal due to her track record and background (Saturnian quota-filler), and eventually regained some hope due to the open-eyed wonderment she sees in Captain Park, even despite his being several years her senior.
Jamal McNamara and Natasha Patel will receive backstories later, as will the whole crew, ship, and their experiences together.
Captain Sandoval Park III
(Academic, Diplomatic)
Ship Points: Weapons 1, Engines 2, Shields and Armour 2, Scanners and Communications 3, Stealth 1
Crew Points: Security 2, Command 3, Engineering 1, Science 2, Medical 1
Ship Sprite: 1, 2 (Gold)
Lieutenant Aisha Gould (Pilot)
2nd Lieutenant Jamal McNamara (Psychologist)
Ensign Natasha Patel (Linguist)
Extra:
Sandoval Park III was born on Earth, in North America, in one of the world's largest cities, Denver. He is the third in a prestigious line of academics. His grandfather was the first of the family to graduate, having immigrated to the former United States during a period of worldwide famine and economic recession. He set the tradition of the men in the Park family attending the University of Denver for the social sciences, himself earning a degree in macroeconomics and serving as an important economic adviser to numerous political regimes during the reconstruction. Sandoval Jr. grew up in the presence of powerful individuals, and as such managed to some degree to coast on his father's success, eventually becoming an accomplished sociologist who had a part in the planned mining cities in the Jupiter region. While Jr. was by no measures a disappointment, growing up in affluence made him weak when compared to his father, and he set off to create a more casual and happy life for his family and children outside of the realm of politics and influence. When Sandoval III was a teenager, however, the War of the Alliance broke out, and his father was called to mediate in the Jupiter region with some of the mining communities he had helped design. This left Sandoval III to take charge of the household and earn for his mother and siblings, which created an atmosphere of adversity similar to that Sandoval Sr. grew up in. Years later, once Sandoval Jr. had returned, Sandoval III entered and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Denver with a Doctorate in Anthropology. When the Alpha Centauri signal was first detected, the SEA's official space program head-hunted the Park family's prodigal son and placed him at the charge of a scientific ship responsible for making contact with the new alien signal. A young and ambitious scholar, Park is determined to identify the signal's root and live up to the shining examples set by his father and grandfather before him. Though inexperienced with the nuances of space travel, he intends to quickly learn and become worthy of the E.S.S. Leviathan, one of humanity's best scientific ships.
Aisha Gould's story is in many ways the opposite of Sandoval Park III's. Born to a poor mining family on the backwater moon of Rhea, Saturn, in the tiny community of Niemat Allah, Aisha learned to fly in the family hover cruiser. At the wee age of 11 when the War began, Aisha was nonetheless conscripted to fly cargo for the Free Alliance because of her natural talent. Soon, after her maneuvers were observed by soldiers on board her delivery objective ships, she was (at the age of 12) promoted to small fighter combat units. It turned out that, while her knack for combat was equally outstanding to her knack for flying, she had no stomach for violence, and too much of a strong will to blindly follow orders. By the end of the war, she had been discharged for failing to pull the trigger in a few key tactical situations. At age 13, she was back to the mining home she grew up in, and the war she had been so young to witness was over. Over the following few years, she continued to do odd jobs flying in her family's neck of the Saturnian woods, with her penchant for maneuvering allowing her to make trips that others would find too dangerous, able to weave in and out of dense rock fields. Eventually, she was rehired by the government (this time the Earth government) to aid in the reconstruction program, once again as a pilot. While in the system, her family received many financial and political benefits; however, she also saw the cruel and sometimes brutal operations the Earth government resorted to as means of keeping control over the rebellious colonies. She became disillusioned with government work, but climbed the ranks nonetheless for her family's benefit. She was selected to fly one of the most important ships in the response to the Alpha Centauri signal due to her track record and background (Saturnian quota-filler), and eventually regained some hope due to the open-eyed wonderment she sees in Captain Park, even despite his being several years her senior.
Jamal McNamara and Natasha Patel will receive backstories later, as will the whole crew, ship, and their experiences together.
Crezth
i knew you were a real man of the left
Captain Name: Captain Lilian Morgan
Captain Experience: Engineer
Captain Trait: Slippery
Starship Name: ESS Liberty
Ship System Points:
1 Weapons, 3 Engines, 1 Shields and Armour, 2 Scanners and Comms, 2 Stealth
Crew Points: allocate the following points to their crew sections: 3,2,2,1,1
1 Security, 2 Command, 3 Engineering, 2 Science, 1 Medical
Distinguished Officers:
Lieutenant Dr. Sophia Shepherd - Psychologist
First Lieutenant William Walsh - Pilot
Ensign Owain Glyndwr - Critical Systems Engineer
Ship Sprite and Colour: Column 1, Row 3 -- Color Code #003153
Extra: The ESS Liberty was mustered by Martian colonists, a great many of whom were veterans of the War of Earthling Aggression. Seeing an opportunity to get as far as humanly possible from the Earthlings, the ESS Liberty prides itself on a somewhat insouciant and rebellious attitude. Captain Lilian Morgan, an engineer whose employment was terminated by the Earthlings after the peace, leads her crew of displaced and disaffected Martians to more productive endeavors than they may otherwise feel inclined to partake in, and has so far been successful in retaining command. The ESS Liberty dreams of being either one day the MSS Liberty or reaching a point where it truly doesn't matter.
Patch:
Captain Experience: Engineer
Captain Trait: Slippery
Starship Name: ESS Liberty
Ship System Points:
1 Weapons, 3 Engines, 1 Shields and Armour, 2 Scanners and Comms, 2 Stealth
Crew Points: allocate the following points to their crew sections: 3,2,2,1,1
1 Security, 2 Command, 3 Engineering, 2 Science, 1 Medical
Distinguished Officers:
Lieutenant Dr. Sophia Shepherd - Psychologist
First Lieutenant William Walsh - Pilot
Ensign Owain Glyndwr - Critical Systems Engineer
Ship Sprite and Colour: Column 1, Row 3 -- Color Code #003153
Extra: The ESS Liberty was mustered by Martian colonists, a great many of whom were veterans of the War of Earthling Aggression. Seeing an opportunity to get as far as humanly possible from the Earthlings, the ESS Liberty prides itself on a somewhat insouciant and rebellious attitude. Captain Lilian Morgan, an engineer whose employment was terminated by the Earthlings after the peace, leads her crew of displaced and disaffected Martians to more productive endeavors than they may otherwise feel inclined to partake in, and has so far been successful in retaining command. The ESS Liberty dreams of being either one day the MSS Liberty or reaching a point where it truly doesn't matter.
Patch:
Shirogane
Chieftain
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2015
- Messages
- 65
Captain Name: Naomi Zhan
Captain Experience: Career Officer
Captain Trait: Battle Fury
Starship Name: ESS Tiamat
Ship System Points: Scanners and Comms 3, Engines 2, Shields and Armour 2, Weapons 1, Stealth 1,
Crew Points: Command 3, Engineering 2, Medical 2, Science 1, Security 1
Distinguished Officers:
1st. Lt. Gunner Johnny Wagner
2nd. Lt. Android Terra Prime
Ensign. Linguist Michelle Horn
Ship Sprite and Colour: 2,4. Color Code #400040
Background
Naomi Zhan is the daughter of Artimus Zhan and his wife Anastasia, Artimus a powerful general in the Imperial army known for his brutalalty, match only by his cruelty. Many suspected Artimus for countless vile acts but they were never proven. Artimus is rarely at home, busy with his work in the Imperial army. Anastasia knew that Artimus was evil but thought that marrying him would temper his crulty; she was sadly mistaken. Naomi was raised primarily by her mother Anastasia who did not keep secrets from her daughter,and told her of all of the evil and crulity her father Artimus has committed. She taught her compassion, but also how to fight and defend herself. This would later fuel Naomi's reputation in Imperial military service as a fierce warrior but also as the gentlest officer in the Empire.
Naomi were often assigned to diplomatic and combat missons, in her free time she's hunting space pirats and rebels that often caused problems for the civilans and traders. Excellence in combat and diplomacy earned her several achievements and pushed her through the military ranks at a fast pace. Now, after all her hard work, she earned the title of Captian of The Capital Ship Tiamat, a ship fresh out of the construction belt ready to explore the unknown parts of space.
patche
Ship
Captain Experience: Career Officer
Captain Trait: Battle Fury
Starship Name: ESS Tiamat
Ship System Points: Scanners and Comms 3, Engines 2, Shields and Armour 2, Weapons 1, Stealth 1,
Crew Points: Command 3, Engineering 2, Medical 2, Science 1, Security 1
Distinguished Officers:
1st. Lt. Gunner Johnny Wagner
2nd. Lt. Android Terra Prime
Ensign. Linguist Michelle Horn
Ship Sprite and Colour: 2,4. Color Code #400040
Background
Naomi Zhan is the daughter of Artimus Zhan and his wife Anastasia, Artimus a powerful general in the Imperial army known for his brutalalty, match only by his cruelty. Many suspected Artimus for countless vile acts but they were never proven. Artimus is rarely at home, busy with his work in the Imperial army. Anastasia knew that Artimus was evil but thought that marrying him would temper his crulty; she was sadly mistaken. Naomi was raised primarily by her mother Anastasia who did not keep secrets from her daughter,and told her of all of the evil and crulity her father Artimus has committed. She taught her compassion, but also how to fight and defend herself. This would later fuel Naomi's reputation in Imperial military service as a fierce warrior but also as the gentlest officer in the Empire.
Naomi were often assigned to diplomatic and combat missons, in her free time she's hunting space pirats and rebels that often caused problems for the civilans and traders. Excellence in combat and diplomacy earned her several achievements and pushed her through the military ranks at a fast pace. Now, after all her hard work, she earned the title of Captian of The Capital Ship Tiamat, a ship fresh out of the construction belt ready to explore the unknown parts of space.
patche
Spoiler :
Ship
Spoiler :
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thomas.berubeg
Wandering the World
THE ARCHAEOLOGIST
It was cold the day everything changed for Jason.
He’d had to break the ice at the bottom of the pit that morning, and the sun was barely enough to thaw the permafrost enough to dig, and he’d called the shuttle to pick them up later in the day. Another season had come to an end, and Jason Beringer missed trees more than he’d ever thought possible.
That was a lie.
Jason knew exactly how much one could miss trees after six weeks of flat tundra. He’d been excavating parts of the Canadian arctic for nigh on three years. Not that he regretted his choice of thesis topic, “Influence of the Thule on the Shamanistic and Subsistence patterns of the late Dorset People” was a fascinating subject. Certainly more intriguing than the project he had worked on for his professor, back in Undergrad. “Palimpsest of Occupations: the effects of changing occupation on Abbey Chaalis.” Really, there were SO many different studies on early modern europe. One always risked being incredibly derivative when working in Europe, or stepping on someone else’s toes, with all the Academic risk that THAT involved. Still, Jason did appreciate the experience. It had been his first dig, after all, and Professor Gargan had been incredibly old, and so likely didn’t care about his academic reputation all that much.
Yes, Jason Beringer loved what he did, and couldn’t imagine ever wanting more.
A hum in the distance broke his revery. Spinning, he saw the silver glint of the shuttle sent to pick them up. Grabbing the gun that he’d left at his side and climbing down the ridge overlooking the camp, he called out to the Undergrads who were working to break down the tents.
“They’re almost here! How are we doing?”
“Just gotta get the Alchemy Oven broken down and fill in the outhouse pit. We should be ready to go in just a few minutes.”
The hum of the shuttle got louder, and it finally crested into view over the ridge, just as the last of the camp had been broken down. The oblong shape settled softly, hovering just above the ground, and Jason and the others worked together quickly to load up the camp. Still, it was getting increasingly cold and dark, the sun almost reaching the Horizon on its journey across the sky.
The flight back to Charleston was a quick one, a bare three hour jaunt out of the stratosphere and then back down, and by the evening, Jason had showered, shaved, and had corralled his exhausted undergrads out for a night on the town.
It was after his first pint that he saw her.
It was before his second that he met her.
She had been standing with some friends at a corner of the bar, talking, and when he saw her, the rest of the bar faded away.
For a moment, she seemed to stand in a dark void, illuminated from above by divine light.
She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen: a bit short, with long black hair, a smattering of freckles across her cheeks and nose, and the brightest smile he had ever seen.
As if by some divine providence, she looked around, just as he managed to recover mobility. Their eyes made contact, just for a second, and she gave Jason a very small smile, before her eyes moved on. The bar snapped back into focus, as did the amused smiles of Jason’s companions.
“I’ll get the next round.” Jason said, getting up and heading towards the bar.
“And the next one!” one of his companions called to him as he walked away. “You owe us! Six weeks without showers or beer, you’re getting ALL the beers tonight.”
She was at the bar when he got there.
“Hi! I’m Stephanie!” He almost jumped when she spoke, her hand extended to shake his.
Jason didn’t bring back the beers. He spoke with Stephanie for hours, even as the bar emptied up around them.
They went home together, that night.
And that night turned into a week, and then a month, and then a year, and then years. They built a life together, bought a small house in Iowa. Jason taught archaeology at a local university, and Stephanie finished medical school, getting a position at a hospital. The late shift, helping the dissolute and the drunk.
They did not see much of each other, their schedules on opposite clocks, but they made sure to spend at least some time together everyday, either before his day, or before hers.
They knew this was only temporary. That she would get a better schedule, and they’d be together always.
They were paying their dues, and their deserved reward would come.
It was a life that promised to be a good one, would be happy. There would be children, and grandchildren, and then, when they were old and content, they would die together. One could have been forgiven for thinking it too perfect, but there’s no such thing as too perfect, Jason thought.
But then, one cold winter night, when the stars shined brightest in the sky, everything came crashing down.
The phone call came in the early in the morning. Stephanie had been working late, and the road was icy, and nobody had found the car for too many hours, and it was too late.
And Jason died.
For months, Jason stayed dead, barely going through a pale imitation of life.
He tried to drown his sorrow in liquor, but they just came back bigger and badder when the alcohol wore off. He threw himself into his work, published two groundbreaking books. He tried to get rid of everything that reminded him of her, sold the car, sold the little house, quit his job, but it was for nothing. EVERYTHING reminded him of her. A woman’s laugh, a flick of black hair seen from the corner of his eye, the taste of peaches, the touch of the wind on his cheeks.
He thought about ending it more than once. It was only the thought of her disappointment that made him put the gun down.
It was one night that he made his decision, as he lay in the darkness looking up at the stars. If everything on earth reminded him of her, then he had to leave earth. The War in Space, which had not really affected him or anyone he knew, had just ended, but surely the Academy would still be looking to replace its losses.
Without telling anyone, not his family, not her family, not his friends, not her friends, he quietly sold everything that was left. Everything but the pictures of her he had, and signed away his death in exchange for a new life.
gay_Aleks
from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!
Captain Name: Unit X-1249211 would be the production name, but "Administrator" or "Admin" is how usually the Captain's referred to.
Captain Experience: Engineering
Captain Trait: Crew Priority
Starship Name: ESS "Ghost in the Machine"
Ship System Points: Weapons (1) Shields & Armour (3) Scanners & Communication (2) Engines (2) Stealth (1)
Crew Points: Engineering (3) Science (2) Medical (2) Command (1) Security (1)
Distinguished Officers:
Extra:
[Excerpt from Lt-General Tasha LaForge's report]
...Following the debacle near Mars in the early 23th century, where a shipping freighter's androids stopped working for seemingly no reason, as well as reports of androids being uncooperative in general, have given them a reputation for unreliability. Of course, the Saturn accident, upon further investigation, turned out to be due to the solar flare going on that caused mechanical issues, and androids, being still in infancy back have had a lot of things to clear out.
Today, in our early 24th century, however, androids are far more advanced. Capable of more than anything we can ever imagine. However, how are we using them? We view them with suspicion, thinking they might take our "jobs"? Or using them as simple calculation bots? Just a "tool", one that merely happens to move around and talk. I say, such beautiful...ly sophisticated machines deserve more than that.
This is where we come to X-1249211. I crafted this android with my own two hands, following every step of creation of a machine like that. It's perhaps the most advanced android out there. Its total potential, if I have to be fair, is really unknown even to me, and I made it. Such a pretty...advanced machine. It has no gender markings, and apart from its humanoid figure, it is likely not anything like us. And that's what is so awe-some about it. I can feel the future staring down at me. The future. Now. And it stares back at me...
The memory of X-1249211 is filled with the knowledge of all the greatest commanders, although I wonder if its not a waste, as it is an engineering savant of unparalleled skill. Ah well. I've spent the past year or so collecting a pool of skilled and newer androids, as no ""sane"" human wants to serve under an android. Besides, if X-1249211's expedition succeeds, with an all-android crew...I can imagine just the leaps and bounds that we will make in the rights for androids.
Today is the last day before ESS "Ghost in the Machine" sets down for the velvet darkness of space. I see X-1249211 for one last time. It...looks at me...Strangely? Is it me or I am seeing...emotion? No, this must be just me projecting. I feel like breaking down crying...because of our success, of course. By the time I finish this report, X-1249211 will be far, far away from m- here.
Godspeed, X-1249211.
Captain Experience: Engineering
Captain Trait: Crew Priority
Starship Name: ESS "Ghost in the Machine"
Ship System Points: Weapons (1) Shields & Armour (3) Scanners & Communication (2) Engines (2) Stealth (1)
Crew Points: Engineering (3) Science (2) Medical (2) Command (1) Security (1)
Distinguished Officers:
- 1st Mate X-1240212, an Android. He is essentially the right hand of the Administrator, and has their full and complete...Trust? After all, they were made in the same factory, no?
- Ensign X-1241123, a well-calibrated Android Pilot, has the skills to pilot out of an asteroid field with a 0% chance of failure. Probably.
- Engineer X-124111, an engineer android specialised in Critical Systems Engineer, is unparalleled specialist.
Extra:
[Excerpt from Lt-General Tasha LaForge's report]
...Following the debacle near Mars in the early 23th century, where a shipping freighter's androids stopped working for seemingly no reason, as well as reports of androids being uncooperative in general, have given them a reputation for unreliability. Of course, the Saturn accident, upon further investigation, turned out to be due to the solar flare going on that caused mechanical issues, and androids, being still in infancy back have had a lot of things to clear out.
Today, in our early 24th century, however, androids are far more advanced. Capable of more than anything we can ever imagine. However, how are we using them? We view them with suspicion, thinking they might take our "jobs"? Or using them as simple calculation bots? Just a "tool", one that merely happens to move around and talk. I say, such beautiful...ly sophisticated machines deserve more than that.
This is where we come to X-1249211. I crafted this android with my own two hands, following every step of creation of a machine like that. It's perhaps the most advanced android out there. Its total potential, if I have to be fair, is really unknown even to me, and I made it. Such a pretty...advanced machine. It has no gender markings, and apart from its humanoid figure, it is likely not anything like us. And that's what is so awe-some about it. I can feel the future staring down at me. The future. Now. And it stares back at me...
The memory of X-1249211 is filled with the knowledge of all the greatest commanders, although I wonder if its not a waste, as it is an engineering savant of unparalleled skill. Ah well. I've spent the past year or so collecting a pool of skilled and newer androids, as no ""sane"" human wants to serve under an android. Besides, if X-1249211's expedition succeeds, with an all-android crew...I can imagine just the leaps and bounds that we will make in the rights for androids.
Today is the last day before ESS "Ghost in the Machine" sets down for the velvet darkness of space. I see X-1249211 for one last time. It...looks at me...Strangely? Is it me or I am seeing...emotion? No, this must be just me projecting. I feel like breaking down crying...because of our success, of course. By the time I finish this report, X-1249211 will be far, far away from m- here.
Godspeed, X-1249211.
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Decamper
..!
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2014
- Messages
- 1,159
Fleet Admiral Xao’s log, 2017, January 2nd, 0900 GST, Seoul Station.
I feel this log should be appropriately grandiose. We stand at the edge of tomorrow, setting sail for the great unknown, final frontier, etcetera. But I’m currently looking the wrong way, my office’s view this morning is facing Earth. I can’t even see the fleet. My fleet.
The First Exosolar Pathfinders. The ESS Midway, ESS Ghost in the Machine, ESS Azrael, ESS Colombus, ESS Leviathan, ESS Zero Gravitas, ESS Alamo, ESS Liberty, ESS Tiamat, ESS Dave Bowman, ESS Geneva, ESS Angela Ziegler, ESS Hiawatha, ESS Catalina, and the ESS Scarborough. Fifteen of humanity’s most advanced creations. However far we want to go, the Zero Gravitas, Midway, Liberty, and Geneva can take us. Whatever we search for, the Azrael, Dave Bowman, Ghost in the Machine, Hiawatha, Leviathan, and Tiamat can find. If something might hunt us, the Catalina will evade. Whatever the void can throw at us, the Colombus, Alamo, and Angela Zieglar can take. And if we must fight, the Scarborough will destroy whatever stands against us.
The best ships the ESF has to offer, and crewed by some of humanity’s most capable professionals. I hope.
I was tasked with assembling the Captains and their crew, but in practice I mostly just passed along the assignment papers. There’s lots of hands in the ESF pie, and the 1st ExoFinders is most definitely the sweetest of pies. But even if not all of the Captains would have been my among my personal choices, I can’t deny they are all… exceptional individuals.
They better be. If the signal from Alpha Centauri is what we think it is, we need to make a damn good first impression. This is the most important moment in the history of our species. Even if our neighbouring stars are empty, this is the greatest leap forward we have ever taken, and quite possibly will ever take. We are no longer bound to our Sun. We could outlive the star we were born under.
Departures are scheduled in a few short hours. The station should have rotated to point me towards the fleet by then. Can’t see it of course, the ships are halfway out of the heliosphere. Better safe than sorry, the engineers said, that stubborn 5% anomaly rate has everyone spooked. Myself included. We wouldn’t be setting a good impression if our first interstellar FTL jump sucked one of our ships back into the Sun.
I still have some last checks to make. The paperwork will hopefully calm my nerves. I can only hope the Captains don’t share my jitters. Where they’re going, they need to be steady. Bold.
Fleet Admiral Xiao, end log.
Challenges
Sector Challenges
Spoiler :
Ship Challenges
Spoiler :
Map
Spoiler :
Notes
Besides the two Sol-sector challenges, and the one ship challenge, most of this first turn will be movement. Simply choose a sector within your movement range (your engines score, plus 2 if your captain has the wanderlust trait), and that’s about it. Your Scanners and Science crew will automatically scan the sector when you reach it. You may also name a sector if you are the first to reach it - if multiple ships are travelling to the same sector, the ship with the highest movement range will reach it first, and will name it.
Since there isn’t a lot to do this turn, orders will be due on the Wednesday the 15th, though I can begin on the writing the update if orders come in earlier. Orders must be posted in-thread, and a friendly reminder that all of you are part of the same organisation. Cooperating on challenges or exploration is much safer and more efficient than going it alone. If players end up taking opposite actions during a challenge, generally the player with the higher rolls will succeed, though the opposing player’s rolls may interfere with the outcome, possibly leading to a failure for everyone involved.
And now, the ESS Hypothetical will once again give some sample orders. You can structure your orders in any manner you see fit, but please try to make a clear and concise summary first, before going into detail.
Done. If you tackle a challenge, you can follow the example orders in the first post. If you do take on one of the Sol sector challenges, you will not be able to explore another sector. Only ship challenges can be done at the same time as exploring.
Writing is always welcome, and will get you some small bonus RCs to show my appreciation.
New players are free to join at any time. Simply fill in the singup sheet on the first page and post it in the thread. You will be placed in the Sol sector, and you may write orders immediately.
Captain Name: Leon Li
Captain Experience: Career Officer
Captain Trait: Diplomatic
Starship Name: ESS Tian Shan
Ship System Points: Weapons (1) Shields & Armour (2) Scanners & Communication (2) Engines (3) Stealth (1)
Crew Points: Engineering (1) Science (1) Medical (2) Command (2) Security (3)
Distinguished Officers:
Extra:
Leon was an officer within the ESF for quite a number of years who rose through the ranks through his charisma and connections. Over time Leon grew complacent and opted for the 'safer' tasks, namely transporting and entertaining dignitaries. Currently his crew's skill set has been deemed valuable in perhaps wooing alien races or important individuals they may encounter.
The ESS Tian Shan is a modified luxury spacecraft, the equivalent of a private jet.
Captain Experience: Career Officer
Captain Trait: Diplomatic
Starship Name: ESS Tian Shan
Ship System Points: Weapons (1) Shields & Armour (2) Scanners & Communication (2) Engines (3) Stealth (1)
Crew Points: Engineering (1) Science (1) Medical (2) Command (2) Security (3)
Distinguished Officers:
- Lieutenant Robert Lancer (Linguist) in charge of communicating and sorting out diplomatic situations that may occur.
- Second Lieutenant Michelle Su (Entertainer) arguably the best in the business at ensuring all those that travel upon the ESS Tian Shan have such an enjoyable experience that they will definitely travel with this ship again
- Ensign Adam Green (Cook) For the powerful and wealthy having a michelin star chef on board is a requirement and Adam is an integral part of the crew.
Extra:
Leon was an officer within the ESF for quite a number of years who rose through the ranks through his charisma and connections. Over time Leon grew complacent and opted for the 'safer' tasks, namely transporting and entertaining dignitaries. Currently his crew's skill set has been deemed valuable in perhaps wooing alien races or important individuals they may encounter.
The ESS Tian Shan is a modified luxury spacecraft, the equivalent of a private jet.
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SouthernKing
crickety cricket
ESS Dave Bowman
Travel to sector Gamma-17, rename it Sepang
Travel to sector Gamma-17, rename it Sepang
Sniiperman456
Warlord
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2016
- Messages
- 253
Travel to sector gamma 8, name it Midway. If another player travels here, then instead go to sector gamma 13 and name it Midway. If both of those sectors are explored by other players, then instead go to sector gamma 1 and name it Midway.
Seon
Not An Evil Liar
Zero Gravitas
Intercept Voyager probe in Sol System. Use 2x Engineering and 3x science. Our science teams will try to make sense of whatever alterations happened to our ancient probe, while our engineers will seek to retrofit an FTL drive, communicator, and sensors onto the probe in order to accelerate its journey and also provide ESF with valuable data, wherever it goes. Zero Gravitas will use 2 units of sensors to assist in understanding what has happened to the machine, while our Android, Grey, will attempt to mine data from the probe's computer to see if anything which interfered with the probe left any evidence. Captain Sora will attempt to use her engineering knowledge in order to aid the engineering crew in retrofitting FTL drives.
Intercept Voyager probe in Sol System. Use 2x Engineering and 3x science. Our science teams will try to make sense of whatever alterations happened to our ancient probe, while our engineers will seek to retrofit an FTL drive, communicator, and sensors onto the probe in order to accelerate its journey and also provide ESF with valuable data, wherever it goes. Zero Gravitas will use 2 units of sensors to assist in understanding what has happened to the machine, while our Android, Grey, will attempt to mine data from the probe's computer to see if anything which interfered with the probe left any evidence. Captain Sora will attempt to use her engineering knowledge in order to aid the engineering crew in retrofitting FTL drives.
ESS Tian Shan
Approach Hektor Station in the Sol System. Utilise 2 Scanners/Communication to contact Hektor station to try and arrange a diplomatic discussion either onboard the ship or in the station as well as relaying discussion to the ESF. Send 1 security and 1 command as well as Second Lieutenant Michelle Su (Entertainer) and the Captain Leon Li. Security is to provide protection for the crew and inhabitants of Hektor Station, Command is to reinstate order and assist the Captain in hammering out a diplomatic solution. Michelle shall also assist in defusing the situation by entertaining the leaders of the various factions in order to put them more at ease and hear their issues.
Approach Hektor Station in the Sol System. Utilise 2 Scanners/Communication to contact Hektor station to try and arrange a diplomatic discussion either onboard the ship or in the station as well as relaying discussion to the ESF. Send 1 security and 1 command as well as Second Lieutenant Michelle Su (Entertainer) and the Captain Leon Li. Security is to provide protection for the crew and inhabitants of Hektor Station, Command is to reinstate order and assist the Captain in hammering out a diplomatic solution. Michelle shall also assist in defusing the situation by entertaining the leaders of the various factions in order to put them more at ease and hear their issues.
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- Joined
- Apr 4, 2010
- Messages
- 8,873
ESS Geneva
Time to go to Alpha Centurai and make first contact, showing the best humanity has to offer.
EDIT: Cooperate with the ESS Azreal and any other ships that wish to help in our mission of peaceful first contact.
Time to go to Alpha Centurai and make first contact, showing the best humanity has to offer.
EDIT: Cooperate with the ESS Azreal and any other ships that wish to help in our mission of peaceful first contact.
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thomas.berubeg
Wandering the World
ESS Azrael
Travel to Alpha Centauri.
Attempt to make contact with whatever initiated the signal. Work with the ESS Geneva, show off the best of humanity.
If there is a colonizable world, name it Terra Nova
Travel to Alpha Centauri.
Attempt to make contact with whatever initiated the signal. Work with the ESS Geneva, show off the best of humanity.
If there is a colonizable world, name it Terra Nova
ESS Alamo
Captain Stella Martínez watch as the many ships start leaving the station in droves while smiling.
"Like young birds leaving the nest to seek outer world"
The engines roar as the big bulky ship move slowly out the dock area to join the other in exploring what this grand space has to offer.
Movement Order
The ESS Alamo will move to Alpha 6 naming the system Torus,
Captain Stella Martínez Log 1
Wow! here I am Captain of my very own ship with many unique individuals that am in charge. To be honest when my superiors told me after returning from my last mission that I would be put in charge of a ship in the new space fleet "The First Exosolar Pathfinders" I was shock to be pick among many other officers out there. I never been much of a wanderlust type of person always preferring to be on the ground but when it came to the idea of exploring the unknown of space. Well what can I say maybe I did had a little bit of wanderlust in me as well. I agree to the offer and now here I am in charge of a slow bulky brick of a ship with a name which I swear my superiors got a kick out when they got the name of ship I would be in commanded of. Half of me feel like this is poetic justice for what my ancestors did.
Picture of the ship at the bottom
Captain Stella Martínez watch as the many ships start leaving the station in droves while smiling.
"Like young birds leaving the nest to seek outer world"
The engines roar as the big bulky ship move slowly out the dock area to join the other in exploring what this grand space has to offer.
Movement Order
The ESS Alamo will move to Alpha 6 naming the system Torus,
Captain Stella Martínez Log 1
Wow! here I am Captain of my very own ship with many unique individuals that am in charge. To be honest when my superiors told me after returning from my last mission that I would be put in charge of a ship in the new space fleet "The First Exosolar Pathfinders" I was shock to be pick among many other officers out there. I never been much of a wanderlust type of person always preferring to be on the ground but when it came to the idea of exploring the unknown of space. Well what can I say maybe I did had a little bit of wanderlust in me as well. I agree to the offer and now here I am in charge of a slow bulky brick of a ship with a name which I swear my superiors got a kick out when they got the name of ship I would be in commanded of. Half of me feel like this is poetic justice for what my ancestors did.
Picture of the ship at the bottom
Attachments
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thomas.berubeg
Wandering the World
The Pilot
The ship was silver and white, gleaming curves and smooth surfaces. Even bound as she was, the clamps of the keelyard shackling her in place, everything about her lines screamed barely contained motion.
Serafina Mickey had never seen a ship more beautiful.
The shuttle she was on arced past the raised windows of the command deck and over the red lettering “ESS Azrael,” and, smaller, in black beneath it, “NCC-007,” and then underneath the ship’s sweeping wings, before slipping through the open bay doors and through the shimmering containment field into the hangar. Softly, the shuttle settled into a cradle, and Serafina shimmied out of the pilot’s chair and into the passenger’s section of the shuttle.
“We’ve landed! I hope you’ve enjoyed your flight, please be careful gathering your kit as they may have come loose and shifted while in transit. Welcome aboard the ESS Azrael, Ensign.”
“Oh my GOD this is so exciting!” The only other person in the shuttle spoke. She was short and thin, with short cropped black hair, and didn’t look to be a day over twenty. She was quivering with excitement, almost hoping in place. “I didn’t think I’d actually get posted on the first wave! There’s so many of us at the Academy hoping for a ship listing, and I got it! I’m sorry, I’m babbling. I’m Ensign Turku. And you are Lieutenant...?”
“Lieutenant Mickey, Ensign.” She smiled “Lets get you actually onto the azrael before you burst!”
“Thank you, thank you! I heard we’re being sent to Alpha Centauri directly, do you know? I’ve listened to the transmission, and I have some ideas as to what they’re saying, but it’s not the same as actually going and meeting them!”
“So you think it’s actually aliens?”
“Yes!” She paused for a moment. “Well, at least I think so. It SOUNDS like a language, but there’s no way to know what they’re saying without context. It could well be anything. A commercial for Alpha Centauri Cakes, or a call for help, or a warning. We just don’t know. It’s so exciting!”
As they spoke, they entered the corridors of the Azrael. For a moment, Serafina felt a pang, remembering the dirty corridors of the first Azrael, at the end. The exposed wiring, the panels left off for easy access since repairs had been needed so often. The dim lighting, as the lights burned out and couldn’t easily be replaced.
By comparison, the ESS Azrael was blinding. The softly curving white corridors were lit by glowing panels recessed within the walls, and the black floor was polished so brightly it looked like a mirror, reflecting the silver ceiling. At regular intervals, screens on the walls would display alternately maps of the ship and views of the outside. A few shuttles were flitting about the few ships in the Keelyard, and for a moment, the writing on the ship in the next berth over was visible. ESS Scarborough, another of the FTL capable ships, a sister of the Azrael, though with a hugely different look.
Serafina realized that the Ensign was looking at her expectantly, and that she must have asked a question.
“I”m sorry. I didn’t hear your question, I was...” She gestured vaguely towards the Scarborough and it’s towering superstructure.
“Oh! No problem. I just asked if you knew anything about the captain?” Her voice dropped in tone, and she whispered, leaning in “I heard she was in Jail! I heard she fought on the wrong side of the war. They talked about her at the Academy.”
“Losing side of the war, sure. I’m not convinced it was the wrong side. It’s true, though. She fought the SEA in the war. Best damn commander I’ve ever had.”
The Ensign looked stricken for a moment. “You’re a belter?” Then she smiled again “I’ve never really had to talk much to a belter before, I should have guessed when I couldn’t place your accent. It’s got some north canadian to it, but with something else that I... Nevermind. So, she’s a good captain?”
“The Best.”
The Loudspeaker system hissed to life “Launch in T minus thirty minutes. Command Crew report to Command deck, please. Command Crew to Command Deck.”
“That’s us, I guess.” The ensign said.
“You have time to stow your things. Your quarters are...” Serafina tapped one of the screens on the walls, bringing up the crew registry. “D-319.” She tapped again, and a green line appeared on the floor. “Follow this, it’ll take you to your room. There’ll be a Red one to take you to the bridge.”
“Thank you Lieutenant!” The ensign snapped a salute, before scurrying down a side corridor.
Serafina walked towards the bridge, and palmed the door open. It slid aside with a soft hiss, revealing the command deck. A circular room, arranged in a descending manners with the Captain’s chair overlooking the dozen or so nooks and stations. Nearly twice that number of the crew were busy in the room, completing the final checks for the launch of the ship.
“Permission to come aboard?”
The Captain’s chair swiveled towards the door, revealing Captain Jayne Bramford. She looked younger than she had five years past, when the war had drained all of them of much, younger, even than when she had been in jail. Her curly red hair was tied behind her head, and she sat with a regal posture. She smiled at Serafina.
“Granted. Welcome back, Lieutenant.”
“Launch time T minus 15 minutes. Commence Breakaway procedure.” The loudspeaker announced as Serafina walked to her station. She sat in her seat, leaning back comfortably as the screens came to life. Her fingers danced over the screen, the final checks and tests required in the last minutes before launch.
“Launch time T minus 2 Minutes.”
Serafina heard the captain take a deep breath, before speaking over the intercom to the rest of the ship.
“This is your captain speaking. As you all know, two years ago, we received a signal that changed the way humanity saw it’s position in the universe. From that moment onwards, the issues that had plagued us seemed small and inconsequential, and we stand united to greet the universe, whether it’s as a friend or a foe. Our mission will be to link up with ESS Geneva and the ESS Hiawatha in the Alpha Centauri System, and determine what, or who, is sending that signal. It is an honor to serve with you all aboard the ESS Azrael.” She flicked the intercom off. “Commander, status report?”
Serafina opened her mouth to answer, a reflex from years past, but a tall black man in the green of the Science Divisions turned away from his station and spoke.
“Captain. All systems optimal. Station central is confirming for breakaway.”
“Very well. Lieutenant? At your discretion. Three percent impulse.”
“Aye aye, captain.” As she grasped the throttle, the ship vibrated with contained energy, before smoothly pulling away. The bulk of the Keelyard’s arms, quickly passed from view, and Serafina whispered. “For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast”
The ship was silver and white, gleaming curves and smooth surfaces. Even bound as she was, the clamps of the keelyard shackling her in place, everything about her lines screamed barely contained motion.
Serafina Mickey had never seen a ship more beautiful.
The shuttle she was on arced past the raised windows of the command deck and over the red lettering “ESS Azrael,” and, smaller, in black beneath it, “NCC-007,” and then underneath the ship’s sweeping wings, before slipping through the open bay doors and through the shimmering containment field into the hangar. Softly, the shuttle settled into a cradle, and Serafina shimmied out of the pilot’s chair and into the passenger’s section of the shuttle.
“We’ve landed! I hope you’ve enjoyed your flight, please be careful gathering your kit as they may have come loose and shifted while in transit. Welcome aboard the ESS Azrael, Ensign.”
“Oh my GOD this is so exciting!” The only other person in the shuttle spoke. She was short and thin, with short cropped black hair, and didn’t look to be a day over twenty. She was quivering with excitement, almost hoping in place. “I didn’t think I’d actually get posted on the first wave! There’s so many of us at the Academy hoping for a ship listing, and I got it! I’m sorry, I’m babbling. I’m Ensign Turku. And you are Lieutenant...?”
“Lieutenant Mickey, Ensign.” She smiled “Lets get you actually onto the azrael before you burst!”
“Thank you, thank you! I heard we’re being sent to Alpha Centauri directly, do you know? I’ve listened to the transmission, and I have some ideas as to what they’re saying, but it’s not the same as actually going and meeting them!”
“So you think it’s actually aliens?”
“Yes!” She paused for a moment. “Well, at least I think so. It SOUNDS like a language, but there’s no way to know what they’re saying without context. It could well be anything. A commercial for Alpha Centauri Cakes, or a call for help, or a warning. We just don’t know. It’s so exciting!”
As they spoke, they entered the corridors of the Azrael. For a moment, Serafina felt a pang, remembering the dirty corridors of the first Azrael, at the end. The exposed wiring, the panels left off for easy access since repairs had been needed so often. The dim lighting, as the lights burned out and couldn’t easily be replaced.
By comparison, the ESS Azrael was blinding. The softly curving white corridors were lit by glowing panels recessed within the walls, and the black floor was polished so brightly it looked like a mirror, reflecting the silver ceiling. At regular intervals, screens on the walls would display alternately maps of the ship and views of the outside. A few shuttles were flitting about the few ships in the Keelyard, and for a moment, the writing on the ship in the next berth over was visible. ESS Scarborough, another of the FTL capable ships, a sister of the Azrael, though with a hugely different look.
Serafina realized that the Ensign was looking at her expectantly, and that she must have asked a question.
“I”m sorry. I didn’t hear your question, I was...” She gestured vaguely towards the Scarborough and it’s towering superstructure.
“Oh! No problem. I just asked if you knew anything about the captain?” Her voice dropped in tone, and she whispered, leaning in “I heard she was in Jail! I heard she fought on the wrong side of the war. They talked about her at the Academy.”
“Losing side of the war, sure. I’m not convinced it was the wrong side. It’s true, though. She fought the SEA in the war. Best damn commander I’ve ever had.”
The Ensign looked stricken for a moment. “You’re a belter?” Then she smiled again “I’ve never really had to talk much to a belter before, I should have guessed when I couldn’t place your accent. It’s got some north canadian to it, but with something else that I... Nevermind. So, she’s a good captain?”
“The Best.”
The Loudspeaker system hissed to life “Launch in T minus thirty minutes. Command Crew report to Command deck, please. Command Crew to Command Deck.”
“That’s us, I guess.” The ensign said.
“You have time to stow your things. Your quarters are...” Serafina tapped one of the screens on the walls, bringing up the crew registry. “D-319.” She tapped again, and a green line appeared on the floor. “Follow this, it’ll take you to your room. There’ll be a Red one to take you to the bridge.”
“Thank you Lieutenant!” The ensign snapped a salute, before scurrying down a side corridor.
Serafina walked towards the bridge, and palmed the door open. It slid aside with a soft hiss, revealing the command deck. A circular room, arranged in a descending manners with the Captain’s chair overlooking the dozen or so nooks and stations. Nearly twice that number of the crew were busy in the room, completing the final checks for the launch of the ship.
“Permission to come aboard?”
The Captain’s chair swiveled towards the door, revealing Captain Jayne Bramford. She looked younger than she had five years past, when the war had drained all of them of much, younger, even than when she had been in jail. Her curly red hair was tied behind her head, and she sat with a regal posture. She smiled at Serafina.
“Granted. Welcome back, Lieutenant.”
“Launch time T minus 15 minutes. Commence Breakaway procedure.” The loudspeaker announced as Serafina walked to her station. She sat in her seat, leaning back comfortably as the screens came to life. Her fingers danced over the screen, the final checks and tests required in the last minutes before launch.
“Launch time T minus 2 Minutes.”
Serafina heard the captain take a deep breath, before speaking over the intercom to the rest of the ship.
“This is your captain speaking. As you all know, two years ago, we received a signal that changed the way humanity saw it’s position in the universe. From that moment onwards, the issues that had plagued us seemed small and inconsequential, and we stand united to greet the universe, whether it’s as a friend or a foe. Our mission will be to link up with ESS Geneva and the ESS Hiawatha in the Alpha Centauri System, and determine what, or who, is sending that signal. It is an honor to serve with you all aboard the ESS Azrael.” She flicked the intercom off. “Commander, status report?”
Serafina opened her mouth to answer, a reflex from years past, but a tall black man in the green of the Science Divisions turned away from his station and spoke.
“Captain. All systems optimal. Station central is confirming for breakaway.”
“Very well. Lieutenant? At your discretion. Three percent impulse.”
“Aye aye, captain.” As she grasped the throttle, the ship vibrated with contained energy, before smoothly pulling away. The bulk of the Keelyard’s arms, quickly passed from view, and Serafina whispered. “For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast”
