TOPIC: The Expanse - Angels

Ok I'll bring expanse stuff.

Episode 8 - Adventures in Smuggling

Whatever deal Angelus has made with Fred Johnson gives the group access to a small tramp freighter called the Happy Wanderer. It often does the Ganymede/Callisto route delivering Organics so the group set off to Ganymede delivering some random mechanical supplies en route as cover. Joe takes it upon himself to appoint himself as ship pilot on top of gunner, torpedo officer, chief engineer and Ambassador. Angelus is not amused but lets him fly for now.

En route the group discuss their next steps. Reuben and, despite his previous loyalties, Thatch are not comfortable with Tito OR Fred Johnson getting their hands on current Martian Tech plans and, thankfully, the rest of the group agree. Lots of plans are discussed and the author kinda sorta lost track but thinks a plan was hatched where Reuben, using his first hand experience of Martian tech, will help Thatch create some very real looking but very fake data. This will be encoded onto a datachip that matches the one Tito is expecting but purposefully "damaged" to make it look like transfer corruption or similar. This will be swapped with Tito's real data and then, when they get backt o Tycho, they can conveniently let Fred know where Tito will be so he can pick him up and get the data himself. this can definitely not go wrong.

At Ganymede they stop over for a few days shore leave both for appearances and also to give Thatch time to create the data. Joe enlists the good doctor in trying to find a genuine MCRN datakey to put the data on incase this is what Tito is given. the Doctor somehow wins one in a very dodgy cardgame from some MCRN officers while, in the background, the news reports on a build in tensions between the MCRN and UNN "protection forces" in orbit...

Thatch creates the data then spends some time decrypting the MCRN data key Victor acquired. On it he finds reports from a team of Auditors investigating shipping discrepancies in arms shipments from Callisto all signed off by one Dutch Hogan... It seems our contact is already being watched. Thatch then encodes our "real" data onto the data key as well as a standard model one just incase.

With 10 days to complete the transfer they reach Callisto with 2 days to spare, calling ahead to let Dutch know their ETA. On the way in the ship is boarded for a standard inspection. Most of the crew pass fine however Reuben, ex Marine that he is, flags up despite his fake ID (pesky DNA) and is told not to hang around too long. Tito and his deadly shadow are told they must not leave the ship while docked. Orbital space is full of various MCRN ships as you'd expect but one dark ship with no transponder draws the eye...

Ziang convinces Tito to give him the datakey so he can do the exchange with Dutch on their behalf. Joe and the good doctor take the datakey into town along with he dummy one and convinces a local to help him swap the case over while Ziang and Reuben head in to explore the area and to make it look normal. Thatch puts on his armoured Vac suit ("only one I've got") and heads out to "supervise" the unloading of the supplies by the local dockhands as he keeps an eye out for Dutch who was supposed to meet Ziang at the ship. Angelus has a long conversation with Tito to "get to know him".

After two hours Thatch radios in to confirm no one has approached the ship. Angelus informs Tito who seems very agitated at the news. Thatch quickly looks up Dutch's address and sends it to Reuben and Ziang in the dome before heading there himself.

They reach the door to find it shut and wait for Thatch to arrive to pop the door (One job). Inside they find signs of a struggle, blood on the floor.... Oh and a belter woman strapped to a bed with an arm full of needles. Signs point towards Dutch leaving under his own steam rather than being dragged. The Good doctor is called who quickly examines the patient. It seems she is getting treatment on the MHS (Martian Health Service obviously) for some sort of deblitating bone disease. She's about two hours away from the end of her treatment but, at a loose end, the group decide to wake her early...

Episode 9 - Vacuum Sucks

The Good doctor administers a stimulant to the patient and she wakes up groggy. Initially untrusting of the group Angelus' kind words and Thatch's disappearance to make Tea help until the point she says she prefers coffee. He heads back to the kitchen grudgingly muttering something about heathens under his breath...

Once they convince her they mean no harm, are not members of the Loca Griga (something Dutch was apparently worried about) and want to find Dutch she thinks back and remembers 7 hours before a knock at the door just after her meds start. Dutch gave her something and she got tired (that doesn't usually happen). She remembers raised voices, a comment about "getting a slice of the action" and sounds of scuffle. It's clear Dutch had visitors from local gangsters who got wind of one his many deals and he sedated her to protect her.

She advises that the Griga were known to hole up in the old colony tunnels. the MCRN periodically sweep through the tunnels but it's been a while. The group tool up, sending Joe and Reuben back to the ship to watch their houseguests, and head to the tunnel entrance sneaking in. They find a disaster of a place but notice a relatively new looking yellow power lead. They follow the yellow brick road through two domes periodically noting cameras ont he way in which Angelus attempts to strike up a negotiation with to no avail.

They reach a large airlock heading into a glass tunnel on the surface that seems to head to a complex in the side of a mountain. Thatch notes the unmarked Martian ship they saw earlier in orbit has dropped down and is hovering not too far above the base. They button up and find the entire corridor is in Vacuum and darkness. Thatch on point suddenly feels a thud in his chest and flash. The Vacuuming hiding the noise of incoming fire but not the impact which luckily does not penetrate his armour.

With Reuben on the ship the attacker actually lasts long enough for Ziang to show everyone why he carries that bloody sword everywhere as he takes off the victims head. Helmet and all. Thatch tries to hack their comms but they quickly realise and switch channels. He also recalls a classic antigue 2D show called G-team or something and the group jerry rig a moving cover wth some old plate and a cart. Ignoring several side tunnels they follow the yellow brick road uneventfully before coming to a break in the tunnel where the wire is strung across. With such low gravity they reckon it can hold their weight so, after tethering to a buddy, they start crossing one by one. Thatch and Ziang cross first and come under fire. This time Angelus takes them out after sliding across and the group continue to find an airlock. Just before they step up to it Joe calls from the ship to say they have had visitors. Unmarked MCRN marines have come and demanded Reuben accompany them. Unable to resist he went along peacefully and the last Joe saw they were boarding a jet black shuttle before taking off for the previously mentioned Spec ops ship. The group decide there is nothign they can do until this is done so press on.

Thatch hacks and takes control of it when a voice comes from the intercom. It is the local Griga who confirm they have Dutch with them and are just having a little "chat" about some undeclared earnings. Angelus wishes to talk but they will only let them group in unarmed and want their airlock back. Angelus heads in alone but Thatch retains control of the airlock hiding it from them incase they need to head in. Angelus convinces them they need Dutch for a deal and nothing more. The Gangsters agree to give him us (after getting the barely conscious Dutch to sign some sort of document) if the group will agree to deliver some Arms to Ceres on their behalf. Angelus calls the group and seeks their approval for the deal. Thatch is happy to deliver the arms then tell Dawes where they were left before they get in the wrong hands. The deal is made and Dutch is handed over. They suit him up and start heading back. Once back in the pressurised dome the doctor treats him enough to bring him around. They explain who they are and accompany him back to his hole. Him and his partner embrace before Dutch says "give it to them" and she takes the datastick from it's hiding place in her autodoc (surely the MHS will frown on that?). He explains he has no idea what's on it he was just asked to keep hold of it by The Good doctors brother and hand it to Tito when he turned up...

The group take their leave and start to head back to the ship deciding what they should do next and how they should swap the data...

I hope that's cleared up any confusion lol

Guaranteed I miss some of the data dump so let me know what I missed...

Episode 9 - Ghosts

After receiving the datastick from Mia and Dutch the group push them together to complete the transaction. they head back to the ship deciding what to do and how to deal with their missing crewmember. While ont he way back some Griga turn up to load on the "legit" crates. Joe was not happy but eventually relented and let them board.

While discussing what to do their 24 hour pass expires... and no one calls them. Calling the dockmaster informs them of precisely dick other than that their permission to leave is revoked. At that moment like the wanderer walking into a western the group see a loan figure heading down the corridor to the landing pad that turns out to be a midly battered Reuben.

His DNA had pinged up and didn't match his ID so he was picked up. They apparently also recognised Thatch (which he's not unconcerned about). He got a friendly "hello" which involved multiple pats on the back (and face, and stomach...) with a closed hand. They were pretty sure the group were up to something but when his story checked out they released him with instructions to get gone.

The group take off Thatch and Joe strongly considering dropping the Grigas cargo out of the ship incase they are boarded but they seem to have been given a straight line out so take their chances. Once in open space the conversation continues once more about what to do with the data with Ziang placating Tito while they thing. It occurs to them the data might not be what they were told. Reuben wants to put it straight out the airlock but Thatch convinces him that he should check to see if the data is what they expect. Reuben can watch and make sure Thatch copies nothing and doesn't see anything he shouldn't.

Inside they find Martian data but not the ship plans they were expecting. Instead their are plans for smaller Patrol cutters, Orders of battle, patrol routes and Refit schedules for 12 months out. Just what might be useful to a smuggling cartel. But in the background Thatch can sense some Ghost data. Like the module wasn't deleted properly. When he go's to look Reuben pulls a gun and puts it to his head. Thatch doesn't even blink. He convinces Reuben he just wants to see what the ghost data is as it might tell them who they are dealing with. Reuben relents on the promise Thatch copies the data to another Pad for Reuben to review first. He does so and reuben quickly see's the data isn't Martian then posts it to the ships computer for all (apart from Tito) to see mostly corrupted data with some snippets...

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File with a UN Black ops header talking about funding streams linked to the NE America Control Zone (where Ziang and his family are from)

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Progress report header dated 5 months ago about a "project Phoenix"

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A Related Performance report saying "Subject 33 lasted a full 128 Seconds in Vaccum

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A Money transfer from a Winterborne Geological to a relay beacon in the Jovia system FAO a Doctor Lal (further investigation a Dr Lal is an ex-Protogen employee who vanished a few years ago).

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Contact report header for the MCRN 2nd Fleet from 12, 8 and 3 months ago.

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A Message Header for Cere's FAO an Inaros, F dated 5 weeks ago containing a description of Tito and a Hotel room on LV4326B (the Asteroid that had a splitting headache) ( Angelus had heard the name Inaros linked to someone called Marco. a Low Level OPA cell leader from a few years back)

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Winterborne Geological are an old money corp bought by a Sunshine Group (which seems to be linked to Ziangs old family). It's a non-profit organisation giving out lots of contracts for "belt exploration". On the list recently was added one "Promethean" our ship...

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Now they know the shape of the data Thatch is able to tweak their fake data to better match it and Ziang delivers the datastick to a now impatient Tito. Tito requests access to a terminal (which Thatch Promptly logs down and clones to see what he is doing) then checks the data over before happily calling in Ziang to celebrate. IT appears he bought it. He requests access to the tightbeam and sends a message back to earth stating mission accomplished then asks the crew to get him to Luna ASAP. In return Ziang receives a Birthday party invite...

The group head to Ceres first to drop off their new cargo. some suspicious looking dockhands come to claim the crates. Joe is once more not happy thinking they deserve extra payment until the group convince him they already got their payment in Dutch and the data they now have. He relents finally and the obvious gangsters take the crates away (one which Joe had been hanging around was suspiciously wet...).

While this is going on Thatch notes nearby a VERY modern looking MCRN frigate has docked catching his eye. He looks and finds the Frigate is flagged as a tramp freighter with no flight plan and seems to be loading on the crates they just unloaded... they stay for barely 30 minutes before taking off again.

Thatch shares this new data with the group and they head on to Tycho station. Tito trying to convince Ziang to come to the birthday party for their master. Initially reluctant Ziang takes Angelus aside and "asks for a favour" saying he needs to goto Earth after Tycho. Once they get to tycho the majority of the crew head to the Promethean to find that repairs that were quoted as months are suspiciously clear, the magazines are full and their Launcher has now been modified to allow Plasma torpedoes.

Angelus meets Fred Johnson who asks him to sit and share a whisky. Angelus hands over the Ghost data only telling Fred it is what they got. He sends it off with Drummer right away to investigate and says he'll be in touch.

Two days of RnR later Fred calls Angelus back. Thatch go's with him incase there are questions about the data. This time there is no Whisky... Fred is not happy witht he data and feels it is not worth the payment given. Thatch questions his conclusions. Saying this data points to there being a third player out there crossing borders unknown to any of the players. Fred gives off an aura of nonchalance but Thatch can read the interest in his eyes. Fred suggests they might want to leave his sight for a while.

Joe has arranged a legitimate cargo for their run to Luna to drop off Tito and they set sail as soon as possible...

Episode 10 - The Fecal matter has hit the airflow device

On the way to Luna those not from Earth take a course of drugs to allow them to adjust to the higher gravity down the well. A more circuitous route is also taken to allow them to slowly ramp up to 1G onboard ship. They take the time to reflect on their adventures thus far as well as perfect some of their skills (also known as Level 3 !). News reports are filled with stories about the rising tensions around Ganymede and the search for the missing Jules-Pierre Mao who is wanted for questioning relating to the Eros incident.

AS they approach Luna, Tito eager to be gone, Angelus receives a response to a message he sent from a Colonel Swain, one of those rescued by the crew from Tranquility 5 when it was shattered by an impact. He is grateful to the group and arranges for them to dock at Luna free of charge as well as to arrange transport down to earth for them on one of the UNN Transit shuttles meaning they can bypass security checks (something ex marine Thatch in particular was worried about). Before they go he kindly invites them to a Black tie event to mark the comssioning of their latest Assault Cruiser the UNN John Henry.

After they Dock Tito parts to find the first shuttle down to Earth saying he will see Ziang soon. The group raid the Quartermasters store and dresses to the nines. Thatch feeling nostalgic Wears his Tech Sergeants dress blues while Angelus, Reuben and Victor break out the Tuxedo's (with the good doctor somehow sending his exact measurements ahead to get it tailored). Ziang wears his with an oriental flare while Joe go's full cliche with a Fez and VERY fancy Kafkan.

The group head to the main hall through the various dignitaries and guests, Thatch keeping an eye out to see if are any old work colleagues or military faces he might recognise (or who might recognise him). Overheard conversations talk less of the subject of the gathering and once more about the tensions over Ganymede which only seem to have heightened even in the short time since they left Ceres. They all head through the outer security corden showing their e-vites and being issued with a badge which the doctor immediately refuses to display since it will "ruin the look". He pins it out of the way as best he can so Joe naturally palms it immediately without the doctor being aware. At the next check point the group flash their badges then head through.... except for the doctor who is SURE his badge was just there. After several minutes of searching Joe takes pity and drops it on the security tray. The doctor glares at him before taking his badge and finally being allowed in.

The group are led to a side table away from the prime seats and are quickly joined by three naval ratings curiously missing any unit flashes just rank badges. They are clearly enjoying the party already half sloshed when they arrive. The Sergeant (Marcelus)who seems to be senior keeps blurting out about Super soldiers and "the shit they've seen". They are way too drunk to recognise Reubens sarcasm and he eggs them on about "how brave they are" and "how much safer space must be with them protecting us". Marcelus boasts about a pirate cutter they captured with a torpedo tube strapped to the side and how the pilot they captured was a funny guy. they think his name was Lazlo and Thatch's eyes goo to the good doctor... This is clearly the third pinnace that got away from them before the other two engaged.

They seem to feel they have said too much and try to calm marcelus (by faar the most pissed) down. Thatch takes a hot int he dark and mentioned Project Phonix to him to see his reacction but there was none. The rest of the ceremony go's without hitch until suddenly the band stops playing and 8 armoured marines enter flanking a senior officer. He walks up to the podium and announces there has been an incident and General Order X-ray is now in effect. a murmur spreads between the uniformed members of the crowd and Thatch Tenses before murmuring to the rest of the group "the Shit's hit the fan".

Everyone starts filing out having been ordered to their duty positions and ships. Even as he speaks the John Henry thrtough the glass is obviously being ready to depart. The group decide to head back to their ship Thatch thinking it's best he gets out of his uniform incase he gets swept up in the call to arms but as he approaches his fears are confirmed. Two UNN marines in full power armour guard the ships hatch and they confirmed that, as per General order X-ray any combat capable ships are impounded incase they are needed for the war effort at least initially until things settle down. Thatch is pretty sure the ship will be released in a few days but in the mean time they cannot even board.

The Marines agree to send someone on board to collect supplies for the group so they all get a change of clothing and Thatch requests his GOOD terminal. with nothign else to do they decide to accompany Ziang down to earth as the UNN shuttles are the only things not stopped. AS they wait to board the news feed talks about an incident over Ganymede with at least one orbital mirror destroyed and both sides trading blows. It is clear war has begun...