Just thought about it, but is there a color you would like for your characters' speech?
Turn 0a: Thrusters Online
Katerina locates her quarters without a word spent to the other crewmembers, then looks for a terminal to access the galactic network of information, whatever they call the space internet.
She browses for news of wars or sectors with high piracy.
Katerina left the command room, heading for her quarters. A very small living space with the barest minimum. A bed designed for space travels, a closet and a desk space with a retractable stool embedded in the wall.
She sat on her bed, and pulled out her smartphone. Activating the holo display, she browsed on the Galactic Network. They were still on ground, so there was no need yet to use the ship's terminal, which was in the command room.
There were many, many news all over the galaxy. You picked some that garnered your attention.
------------------GALACTIC NEWS------------------
-----------------WAR AND PIRACY-----------------
Another skirmish in the Helen Valtias sector. The attackers were unidentified, the local defense force speaks of unknown ships, while the officials waved off the issue as "space pirates in junkships"(...)
Another trade fleet raided by the Hernaro Nebula Pirates. An account of one of the fleet's captains "It was supposed to be a safe lane, and we never expected our escorts to be overwhelmed. This is terrible news for business, these savage are growing more and more aggressive. What is the galactic force doi-"(...)
We would like to remind civilian and traders that the following sectors are very dangerous because of rising piracy. "Vem K43 and K48, Ulvor System, Pong Tai System..."(...)
Tensions rising between the Tak Barat and the Alliance following a blunder of the Galactic Force. A scout Tak Barat ship was gunned down after being mistaken for pirates. Officials refused to share details.(...)
War still raging between the Sheorns and the Lignondrims. Millions of refugees are escaping the war-afflicted systems, and the conflict threatens to weaken the Galactic Alliance borders.(..)
Civil war in the human system of Axilion, the Omnis, artificial humans created to serve the Axilities, declared independence from their creators.-------------------------------------------------------
"So, did anyone get any leads for missions on the station?" asks Thomas. "If not, I'll check the Galactic Channel. We need a job soon if we want to be able to pay off the cost of the ship and have money set aside for maintenance, to say nothing of making a profit."
Thomas will probably start checking the Galactic Channel for missions regardless of what anyone says.
"Ah, friends! Shall we set off? There's so much to discover!" Sneed says cheerfully while pointing one of its tentacles toward the stars. "We could investigate the mysteries of the Storblarte Nebula. Or navigate through the Fergas Asteroid Field. Or maybe even...go beyond the limits of known space into the unknown! Ooh! I'm so excited! I'm gonna get ready right away!" As Sneed slides deeper into the ship, it lets out a gleeful alien squeal comparable to nails on a chalkboard.
"So, did anyone get any leads for missions on the station?" asks Thomas. "If not, I'll-"
"Missions? Adventure is our mission!" Sneed says eagerly, cutting Thomas off. Sneed continues forth, oblivious to the group's economic needs.
Rush further into the ship and perform basic maintenance procedures and safety checks. Make sure everything is in working order and ready for take off when necessary.
"Yes, well, adventure doesn't exactly pay the bills, does it? However, I'll check the Galactic Channel and see if there are any jobs available that are at least adventure-adjacent."
Thomas checks the Galactic Channel for jobs, mostly for ones that pay well and aren't too dangerous, and will just give whatever jobs he finds a more exciting description to try to appease Sneed.
There was an awkward atmosphere in the ship. Katerina had sneakily disappeared, the mute pirate was... well mute, and the captain was harassed by an AI, and the most exotic member of the crew was talking non-stop, bursting with excitement.
"Ah, friends! Shall we set off? There's so much to discover!" Sneed says cheerfully while pointing one of its tentacles toward the stars.
"We could investigate the mysteries of the Storblarte Nebula. Or navigate through the Fergas Asteroid Field. Or maybe even...go beyond the limits of known space into the unknown! Ooh! I'm so excited! I'm gonna get ready right away!"Not really expecting an answer, and maybe trying to ignore the talkative non-human, he asked:
"So, did anyone get any leads for missions on the station?"
"Missions? Adventure is our mission!" he heard right behind him as Sneed barged in mid-sentence. Naturally, Thomas answered:
"Yes, well, adventure doesn't exactly pay the bills, does it? However, I'll check the Galactic Channel and see if there are any jobs available that are at least adventure-adjacent."
Sneed had disappeared to wander off in the corridors of the ship. Talking to the air of the ship, Thomas sighed and looked up at the Galactic Channel for safe jobs. He picks up a few that seemed to fit his criteria.
------------------GALACTIC CHANNEL------------------
--------------------------JOBS---------------------------
1. [Escort] Trade convoy recruiting additional escorts. Safe route and few risks of raids.
2. [Escort] Scientific team looking for an escort to the star of Xoa, in case of an encounter with a Black Riperius.
3. [Hunting] The Xamesh Wraiths breeding season has begun, many systems activities are being disrupted by this invasive species. A hefty bonus will be offered for each killed individual.
4. [Transport] Looking for private contractors for bulk materials transporting.
5. [Misc] Elgenei Tech hiring crew for space data gathering.
6. [Transport] Hiring private contractors for delivering relief aid equipment the Lignondrims refugees.
...
-----------------------------------------------------------
Thomas wondered. What was a Black Riperius? And Xamesh Wraiths? A quick search led to articles about spaceborn fauna, pictures of quite scary looking beasts, and unnerving reports of survival.
Rush further into the ship and perform basic maintenance procedures and safety checks. Make sure everything is in working order and ready for take off when necessary.
Sneed had been taught some ship maintenance procedures by the traders who picked him up from his homeworld.
[Ship Operating 1]: [7] (Overshoot)
Sneed happily pushed buttons around, reading various parameters and checking to make sure they were in appropriate ranges. As he went through his inspection, he reached the engine examination part.
An important part, what would happen if the engines malfunctioned during take-off or landing? Or during a jump? He remembered how the traders stressed the importances of having working engines.
Some test-firing couldn't hurt mmh?
Sneed activated the thrusters a bit too eagerly, sending a shockwave rippling through the ship and the hangar.
The ship suddenly accelerated, making everyone onboard fall on the ground.[3] Jim was thrown off its seat, barely managing to bite on the backseat.
[2] Katerina slammed head first on her closet.
[4] Edwin tripped, but managed to grab a nearby wall handle.
[6] Thomas grabbed reflexively to Edwin's neck, nearly choking him.
[4] Sneed stood the acceleration despite the suddenness.
Jim J. Barkley: (Captain)
Health: Healthy
Morale: Good
Inventory:
-[20000] Alliance Credits
-Voice-Activated Claw Drone
-(Anti)Bugging Tools
Katerina:
Health: Healthy / Stunned
Morale: Good
Inventory:
-[10000] Alliance Credits
-Civilian clothing
-A small ruby ring
Edwin 'Starbeard:
Health: Healthy
Morale: Good
Inventory:
-[5000] Alliance Credits
-Space pirate flintlock gun
-Space pirate sabre
-Space pirate clothing
Sneed the 38th:
Health: Healthy
Morale: Good
Inventory:
-[5] Alliance Credits
Thomas Whitney:
Health: Healthy
Morale: Good
Inventory:
-[20000] Alliance Credits
-Classy suit and glasses
-Briefcase
Name: HMS YOU'RE NEXT
Class: Honesty-class Corvette
Hull: Undamaged
Shields: 100%
Speed: Accelerating
Power: 100/100
Hold: 2/10
Systems Status:
Armament
1- Medium Laser Turret (Cost 20P) [Offline]
2- Light Laser Turret #1 (Cost 10P) [Offline]
3- Light Laser Turret #2 (Cost 10P) [Offline]
Base Systems
1- Shield Generator [Online] [Base Power -20]
2- Sensor Systems [Online] [Base Power -10]
3- Reactor [On] [Base Power +200]
4- Life-Support System (Power Recovery 10/turn)[Online] [Base Power -20]
5- Engines (Jump Cost 20P) [Online] [Base Power -50]
Hold:
-Crew belongings (Free)
-Food reserves (2 Points)
The Emelus II system is a Galactic Alliance controlled one. Humans are the major species, but many other spacefaring species live and trade there.
Star:
Emelus II
Planets:
Gavarle: the Emelus II system's main inhabited planet.
Leti
Munito
Toblaon
Idvent
Askland
Turgion
Other objects:
Jump Gate Em II: The system's jump gate. Link to various other gates.
The Hub: A massive space station, with the one of the largest shipyards of the system.
Fergas Station
Other Astral Objects:
Storblarte Nebula
Fergas Asteroid Field