| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
This dangerous gambit works, but only just. Victorea employs controlled [[wikipedia:Lithobraking|Lithobraking]] to bring the ship to a stop on the surface of Zash'ar ω, giving herself a mild concussion in the process. The sensor array was destroyed in the fight, the engine is completely useless, and most other systems are damaged or destroyed. While Sindri works on getting life-support stabilized and assessing the damage, Kratos and [[Connor]] put on EVA suits and scout around. They find some fragments of an ancient wreck not too far away, and salvage some components Sindri can use to repair the sensor suite. Another wreck a little further away yields a nearly complete engine, but this is massive enough that it takes several days to haul it back to the ''Tabula Rasa''. | This dangerous gambit works, but only just. Victorea employs controlled [[wikipedia:Lithobraking|Lithobraking]] to bring the ship to a stop on the surface of Zash'ar ω, giving herself a mild concussion in the process. The sensor array was destroyed in the fight, the engine is completely useless, and most other systems are damaged or destroyed. While Sindri works on getting life-support stabilized and assessing the damage, Kratos and [[Connor]] put on EVA suits and scout around. They find some fragments of an ancient wreck not too far away, and salvage some components Sindri can use to repair the sensor suite. Another wreck a little further away yields a nearly complete engine, but this is massive enough that it takes several days to haul it back to the ''Tabula Rasa''. | ||
| − | + | However, after a few days of salvage, movement is spotted in the distance. Kratos and Connor investigate, finding a group of five people trekking toward their wreck! They set an ambush and easily take down the entire group. At the end Connor stands over their leader and demands surrender. The leader looks at the four beaten and scattered people on his team and answers, "... yeah, alright." | |
Revision as of 21:55, 8 March 2011
The Tabula Rasa, looking for parts to perform repairs and upgrades, heads to the outer reaches of the Zash'ar system. With a mean orbital radius of more than 40 AU the small planet named Zash'ar ω, little more than a ball of dust and ice, is the outermost planet of the system. Just outside its orbit is a thin ring of debris, shaped and pruned by the shepherding effect of Zash'ar ω. This outer ring is much like a narrow asteroid belt. It is composed mainly of rock and ice, but is also reported to contain the wrecks of countless long-forgotten ships. Sindri hopes to salvage some parts from these derelicts, and upgrade the ship so it can leave the system.
On reaching orbit around Zash'ar ω, the Tabula Rasa is confronted by the Silent Sufferer, a scavenging ship with a hold full of scrap. The Silent Sufferer warns the newcomers to leave their territory peacefully, but thanks to a trigger-happy Kratos, a pitched battle ensues. It becomes apparent that the Tabula Rasa is outclassed in this fight. Although they score a couple of good hits on their foes, the Tabula Rasa is forced to flee. Victorea pushes the ship as hard as it will go: she initiates an extreme overburn on the engines, and jettisons and ignites the starboard fuel cell for the extra kick. The maneuver increases acceleration to 3g, leaving the Silent Sufferer far behind.
This dangerous gambit works, but only just. Victorea employs controlled Lithobraking to bring the ship to a stop on the surface of Zash'ar ω, giving herself a mild concussion in the process. The sensor array was destroyed in the fight, the engine is completely useless, and most other systems are damaged or destroyed. While Sindri works on getting life-support stabilized and assessing the damage, Kratos and Connor put on EVA suits and scout around. They find some fragments of an ancient wreck not too far away, and salvage some components Sindri can use to repair the sensor suite. Another wreck a little further away yields a nearly complete engine, but this is massive enough that it takes several days to haul it back to the Tabula Rasa.
However, after a few days of salvage, movement is spotted in the distance. Kratos and Connor investigate, finding a group of five people trekking toward their wreck! They set an ambush and easily take down the entire group. At the end Connor stands over their leader and demands surrender. The leader looks at the four beaten and scattered people on his team and answers, "... yeah, alright."