Episode 3: Stuck in the middle
Mark E.: Maximillian Arden - Aristocrat
Location:
Red shift - Kelron Sector - Argon Station - Vector 14/33
Maximillian Arden, sixth in line to the fortunes of the House Arden Mining Guild. Something he had no interest in whatsoever. His goals were different from that of his family and siblings, more adventurous, you could say. Much to their dismay.
Having recently acquired a beat up light transport ship in a card game, the young man's plan could start in earnest. Star Merchant! Plying the space lanes for goods to buy and sell all across Q44. Of course he'd have to start here in Kelron sector, under the ever present gaze of his family. But eventually he'd do well enough to trade in multiple sectors. He'd show them. He already had an investor too. Although this person remained anonymous, the contracts were legal.
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| Maximillian [art by Mike B.] |
The hub was busy this morning, all kinds of goods coming and going from all over Kelron and beyond. Maximillian was looking for a deal, items he could pick up cheap and then resell elsewhere in the sector for a hefty profit. Sometimes that alone was the real trick, and if there was one thing Max was good at; it was talking to others and getting what he wanted.
After a few hours of haggling, he'd come away with 200 units of Power Mannequins and 100 units of Voice writers. Impressive hi-tech items for which he should be able to easily double if not triple his profits on.
He was glad he had spent extra at Michael Tailor's the finest garment emporium on the station. His innate talents combined with his impressive look was working out better than he could have imagined.
As he waited for the station handlers to load his cargo, Max looked over his options for high profit destinations and realized where this first trip was going to take him.
Home, the Tellian system. Andala station to be exact. His family like many of the upper class of Kelron, lived on an artificial estate above the planetary landmass of the planet Tellian. He'd been born on the station at the finest hospital in the sector Andala General. As a youth he'd spent most of his time roaming the station, a member of one of the many gangs formed of the delinquent and restless noble children. He didn't relish the fact of having to return there so soon, but his business demanded it.
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| The Stellar Coyote |
Loading finally complete, Maximillian took to the controls of his ship. Priming the engines and setting the auto-sequencers to standard by three.
Maximillian: Argon control, this is Stellar Coyote requesting clearance to leave the station.
Argon Control: Stellar Coyote, this is Control. Please stand by.
Almost a minute passed and Max got slightly nervous, when a deep rumbling boom echoed through the station. Alert klaxons began to sound, and he could see dock workers heading for emergency bulkhead hatches that were beginning to close. Over all the comm channels the following order was declared.
Argon Control: "crackle" All ships in bays 4-1 through 4-5 prepare for Security sweeps and manifest checks. All departure requests denied. Uncleared departures will be pursued.
The Stellar Coyote was in bay 4-4 along with three other ships of various make. Two of those ships were not following the orders of the station control. There were clearly engaging thrusters and heading for open space before the station bay door could close and lock them in. Maximillian thought about it for a second....looked out the viewport and saw a dark haired woman at the controls of the ship in bay 4-3 waving to him as she broke docking procedures.
Maximillian: Dammit, [ opening comm ] Argon Control this is Stellar Coyote. We are standing down and awaiting clearance. [ comm closed ] I have no reason to worry, and no reason to put myself in a situation.
He watched as the other two ships just made it out past the closing bay door. Wondering to himself if either of them even had anything to do with what he surmised was an explosion, in or just outside the station. Anyway getting on the bad side of Argon stations Administrator was not something Max wanted.
Forty five minutes later, Argon Control cleared all outgoing traffic. The Coyote departed from the station and primed itself for a jump to the closest system with access to Consortium patrolled FTL routes.
Location:
Red Shift - Kelron Sector - Brinn System - Vector 14/29
Arriving in the Brinn system 24 hours later, the Stellar Coyote checked in with Brinn Alpha Station and gained clearance for Green Lane travel to the Tellian system. Engines primed and Vector coordinates programmed the freighter began its 72 hour journey to its final destination.
[ The Stellar Coyote is a bulk standard Regulus class light transport. Crew complement is 2, but a single person can handle the ship. It also has a robot port that is empty, Faster than light capability, maximum cargo capacity of 300units, and a pilot-linked light laser cannon for defense. ]
Maximillian: First thing I'm going to do, is get you some upgrades girl. I know a guy back on Argon station that can hook us up. [ checking the sequencers, Max left the cockpit grabbed a cup of basic and retired to the lounge nook. ] Think I'll play a couple rounds of "scorched" versus the comp. then get some sleep.
Location:
Red Shift - Kelron Sector - Tellian System / Andala Station - Vector 11/30
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| Andala Station [ art by Dylan Cole] |
Andala station is a testament to the decadence of the Tellian nobles and Upper Class citizens of the Kelron sector. It is the wealthiest place in the entire sector and boasts level upon level of zero-G ballrooms, Holographic pleasure palaces, casinos, alpha-wave chambers, shopping, as well as administrative offices of many guilds and trade businesses. It is also home of Andala General Hospital known in multiple sectors for its knowledgeable and expert medical staff.
Maximillian: Stellar Coyote to Andala Control, request permission to dock and unload incoming goods.
Andala Control: Stellar Coyote, you are clear for docking on level 32T, set sequencers to standard by 4 and welcome to Andala Station.
It took less than four hours to unload the cargo on eager buyers and the profit was good. Maximillian had done well with his picks and the goods he brought were in high demand. He had done so well he decided to splurge on dinner and some cocktails on one of the many entertainment levels of Andala.
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| Andala interior [ art by Brian Sum] |
As Max finished a refreshing cup of hot caffe he noticed a commotion on the walkway. A large group of various beings were seemingly excited about the arrival of someone. Moving to get a better view he sees that the overhead FEED screens begin to announce that the Robot Vocal superstar AND-R3A has arrived for a limited engagement on Andala Station! All manner of species are lining the promenade to get a look and even Max finds himself caught up in the excitement. Then the crowd begins to gasp as clusters of youths with recording sticks and tele-snappers in hand surge forward.
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| AND-R3A |
The Robot celebrity glides by with her entourage of handlers, sycophants, and hangers on. As the crowds of fans and curious onlookers either continue to follow her, or go back to their prior engagements Maximillian locks eyes with an alien across the walkway. The two stare for no more than an instant, each taking stock of the other. The alien then turns and melts into the moving crowd.
Maximillian: I don't like the look of that guy. Think I'll head back to the ship, and take the back ways while I'm at it. [ his years as a youth on the station allow Max to sneak into the service corridors of the station ] I'm not getting into a situation here. Go back to the ship, leave Andala and head to Argon.
Thinking he may have been recognized by a agent of House Arden, Max decides to get out of dodge!
In the service corridors Max passes a refuse processing bay and almost falls when he trips over something. Checking out the obstruction, he discovers what at first he thinks is an organic corpse. However upon closer inspection, he discovers the inert form of a robot female. Not just any robot though, it's AND-R3A to be exact, and she has clear signs of Ion disruption on her head. Using his recording stick Max makes a record of what he's found and then quickly leaves the area. Finding a Station Vid-comm booth he enters and closes the privacy seal.
Maximillian: [ smashing the vid-lense with the pommel of his sword, he dials ALERT ] Station Security, i'd like to report a body in Ref-Loc 119. It looks bad...
Security: Is the victim in need of medical assistance? Can you describe....
Maximillian: [ thumbing the disconnect button, and leaving the booth ] I've done my good deed, I'm not getting involved in a situation. I'm a Trader, I trade goods. I need to get out of here....
Twenty minutes later Maximillian is back aboard the Coyote requesting clearance to leave the station.
Andala Control: Stellar Coyote, you are in holding pattern Alpha. There is a situation in your bay. Please hold.
Maximillian discovers he can't leave the station because a group of protestors called the "Luminae Liberation Group" have chained themselves across the docking bay egress, and are causing general havoc in the bay itself. He is informed this may take some time to get under control so he decides to head for the casino level and lay low.
LLG Protestors: Reparations for the Luminae! Freedom for the indigenous peoples!!
Maximillian: [ pushing through the crowd ] You know that's why we build above the planet surface.
LLG Protestors: [ noticing Max's outfit ] House trash! Go live on your own world!
Entering a gravity lift with some station workers and other ship crew members Max punches in a destination and heads for the pleasure levels.
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| Andala Casino |
Time slips by in the game rooms quickly. Especially if your winning, and that was exactly what Maximillian Arden was doing. His streak was good, and he decided that after this next hand no matter what, he was packing it in. The protests should be cleared up by now, and getting out of here was number one on his list. At least it was until the Robo-waiter showed up with a drink refill and a little extra.
Robo-Waiter: Your drink sir, and these are on the house. You are winning for sure tonight sir.
Maximillian: Well what do you know, a pair of tickets for the Starlight Lounge. [ his enthusiasm sours as he looks at the headliner ] Special star AND-R3A, box seats too. It's like the White Star is guiding me to my destiny.
Dark Haired Woman: Two tickets for the Starlight? Need any company?
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| Lyra |
Maximillian: Well, I don't ... [ across the bar Max sees the Alien from earlier, watching him.] Yes, actually I'd love for you to join me. I'm Maximillian and you are?
Dark Haired Woman: Lyra, wonderful to meet you Maximillian.
The pair leave the casino and head for the Starlight Lounge. As Max thinks to himself; Maybe just one little situation.
The Starlight Lounge is packed, and the pre-show entertainment is going full swing. The couple are led to a private balcony suite with a well stocked bar and buffet ready and waiting.
Lyra: Isn't this just fabulous, I hear AND-R3A is going to sing a new song tonight! We'll be the first to hear it, and any FEED will be blacked out. So intimate, I'm glad you brought me along.
Maximillian: So am I, this day was kind of bad for me. But things are certainly looking better now.
After a few minutes the AND-R3A emerges on stage and the crowd goes wild, and Maximillian begins to relax, letting the music and beautiful company whisk away his worries.
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| Starlight Lounge |
About an hour into the show, the Star announces the revelation of her new track for this private crowd. The FEED screens go dark, and all recording sticks, tele-snappers, and other devices go dark. Strobing lights start to pulse, followed with a rhythmic bass beat and an enchanting vocalization by AND-R3A.
Maximillian's head snapped up, he felt almost sick. Looking over at Lyra he saw she seemed entranced, the woman was staring directly down at the stage. It was then he realized the music and the song had somehow changed. It was still pleasant to listen to, but it had a strange undertone. His brain seemed to almost buzz. He then saw that everyone in the lounge was entranced, they were all staring at the Robot on stage. The sight of AND-R3A was terrifying, her head had opened like a metallic flower and visible waves sonic energy pulsed over the crowd!
Maximillian: A situation Max, this is a definite situation! [ Lyra was enthralled, shaking her didn't break the sonic spell] I should have stayed on the ship, Lords of Light this is not good. [ Thinking for a moment, he drew his pistol. ] This is a bad idea....
From the balcony Max aimed and fired his antique projectile weapon. Had he not been of a Noble House both his sword and pistol would have been held at the SEC-Check. There were always benefits for those of high station. The pistol made a loud crack barely audible over the sonic ensnarement that was being broadcast to the assembled crowd. AND-R3A spun and crumpled to the stage! The music stopped, the crowd began screaming, and all hell broke loose.
The doors of the Starlight Lounge opened as a traumatized crowd spilled out into the promenade of the entertainment level. Max slipped quickly off into a service corridor, intent on getting back to his ship.
Then his RecStick started beeping.
Maximillian: What now?
The alert status on his RecStik showed multiple FEED alerts! He opened the first one and watched.
FEED Announcer: ... attempted assassination of AND-R3A on Andala Station moments ago! We have just received security footage from inside the Starlight Lounge, where an unidentified being fired a weapon at the celebrity before fleeing. More reports are coming in, AND-R3A's current status is stable.
Maximillian: Situation, I don't want this... the balcony suite tickets. The tickets will lead back to the casino, then to me. Okay, you got this Max. Take hold of the situation, head this off.
Exiting the service corridor, Max moved through the crowds until he found a station security team and surrendered to them as a witness to the Starlight incident. Twenty minutes later he was in an interrogation room with a very perturbed Sec-officer.
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| Officer Farlen |
Officer Farlen: Tell me again about the robots head and the sonic...mesmeriztion, and what you did next.
Maximillian: Look, all I'm saying is that wasn't the real AND-R3A, it was some kind of duplicate. I had to stop it, it was using sonic brain washing on the crowd! That's why the FEEDs were blocked!
Officer Farlen: Right, so no one could witness what was going on, and because earlier you found the "real" AND-R3A ionized in a Refuse proccessor on level 119. Why were you in there again?
Maximillian: I was going back to my ship. I wanted to keep a low profile, there was this alien earlier. I think he was following me, after I saw him when AND-R3A arrived on the promenade.
Officer Farlen: So who was this alien that was following you? Do you know them?
The door to the room opens and a lawyer enters.
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| Alien Lawyer |
Alien Lawyer: Officer, my client has no charges pending. He will be leaving with me now.
Officer Farlen: I see, Guild House Authority I presume?
Alien Lawyer: [ nodding affirmative] If you need anything else from Mr. Arden you will direct it through me. Shall we be on our way Maximillian.
Outside the Security Offices:
Maximillian: I didn't call you, did my family?
Alien Lawyer: No Sir, I was sent by a benefactor that wishes to remain nameless. You have friends in very high places Mr. Arden. This situation will go away. I suggest you go back to Argon Station quickly.
Maximillian: No argument there, and thank you. For what you did back there.
The Alien nods and walks away, and Max heads to the docking bay and his waiting ship.
Docking Bay:
As Maximillian enters his ship, he is suddenly joined by a group of five hooded figures that press their way into his airlock!
Maximillian: Hey, what the... now look, I've got no creds so...
Female youth: It's okay, we want to talk to you. It's about AND-R3A.
Maximillian: Lords of Light, when is this day going to end.....
For the next hour, Max is told about the plot to use sonic Void-Tech and brainwash small groups of citizens across the RED-SHIFT Sectors, and once proven it works to extend it across all of Q44. The kids are part of a cell of freedom fighters looking to throw off the yoke of galactic oppression being perpetrated by the cabal of Dark Lords that secretly run the Galactic Consortium!
Maximillian: Okay, that's a lot to process. Hang on a second. [ Max enters the vacc-toilet, and closes the door behind him. ] I'm supposed to leave Andala quickly, that's what the lawyer said.
The gang of kids here a muffled scream come from the vacc-toilet.
Male youth: umm, Mister Arden. You okay in there??
The door opens, and Max steps out:
Maximillian: So Dark Lords, Void-tech, and a quadrant wide conspiracy. Ok, sure. I'm in, what's your plan? I don't think this can get any weirder, can it??
The kids reveal that they were able to hack into the Starlight security feeds, and then ID Max from station records. Eventually they tracked down his ship and waited for him to return. They know that within the hour, AND-R3A is holding a live FEED and they have a one-shot hot Ion pistol they are going to use to reveal the false robot live! They know he knows the truth about the celebrity, and they want his help creating a distraction so the kids can make their move!
[ Max is sure this is all a terrible idea, and the kids could probably end up in heaps of trouble if not dead. So using his "Powerful Speaker" ability. He gives the group a rousing speech to allow a bonus to all their actions for the next hour. ]
Ten minutes later, the group is outside the conference hall Alpha where AND-R3A is about to give a
press release to the FEED. The place is packed with citizens, protestors, security, and spacers of every ilk.
Maximillian: All right, get in there and good luck.
Female youth: What's the signal going to be Max?
Maximillian: You'll know trust me, now get in there. And keep that ion pistol hidden.
As Max walked around the promenade trying to figure out what kind of distraction he was going to make, wondering what became of Lyra, and how the hell this trip turned into a full blown situation. Someone caught his eye in the crowd.
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| the mysterious Alien |
An Alien, a very particular alien. One that had been seemingly one step ahead or behind him since arriving on Andala station. Now, he had what he needed... a very good distraction!
Stepping from the crowd just in front of the alien, Max nods and smiles. The alien is taken by surprise and smirks at the young Aristocrat.
Alien: Mr. Arden, we meet at last.
Maximillian: I don't know what your deal is, but you're going to help me with something important.
Alien: [ looking confused ] Am I now, and why would I do something like that....
Maximillian: [ pointing at the alien ] It's him!!! The one who tried to assassinate AND-R3A!!!
The crowd goes wild, people start yelling and running every which way, FEED bots swoop in with tele-snappers going live! In the commotion the Alien pulls a hidden knife from his sleeve and makes to attack Max. A woman gets pushed into the alien by the panicked crowd and gets a small cut on her hand.
Woman: Aaaahh! he's got a knife, I've been stabbed!!
Maximillian: [pulling the woman to him in a quick embrace as he draws his sword] Drop that weapon you cretin, this woman is under the protection of House Arden!
Alien: [glaring at Max] Well played Mr. Arden, I'll be seeing you!
Security bursting through the crowd gives chase to the mysterious alien as he turns and leaps into frightened onlookers! Max comforts the wounded woman until a Para-Med Bot arrives, then he also makes his exit, once again using the service corridors.
Location: 72 hours later
Red Shift - Kelron Sector - Argon Station - Vector 14/33
Maximillian was watching the FEED screens from the corner of the bar. Consortium Agents had apparently uncovered a plot by a Solar Alliance Terror cell to use a weaponized duplicate of the robot celebrity AND-R3A as a sonic-bomb at the Andala station show.
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| The FEED |
Maximillian: Hmm, maybe there's something to what those kids were talking about. Hope they're ok.
An old technician slides into the booth across from Max.
Yukon Cantos: Hey Max, heard you were in the market for some ship mods.
Maximillian: Hello Cantos, yes. I am very much in the market for some mods, and a mech-bot as well.
Yukon Cantos: Kellic is looking for a ship for quick job, in & out kind of thing from what I hear. maybe after we get you modified you might...
Maximillian: No way Cantos, I've had my fill of situations if you get my meaning. Kellic will find someone I'm sure, I'll be sticking to as many boring jobs as I can for now.
THE END ..... for now
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