Late One Night... (adventure starts here)

[SpinwardMarch]

Research Station Gamma - "Late one night..."

You meet at a bar...

Each character is stuck on Vanejen, for whatever reason, until they can earn enough to leave. The fare to Rhylanor is Cr 16,000 each, which involves a mid passage to Gitosy and then another mid passage to Rhylanor.

On this evening, a small bird-like alien cautiously edges its way to the table where the group is seated. Afraid to speak, it stands in the shadows and watches. One of the group finally notices it, and motions it to the table.

One party member asks what the alien wants. With great hesitancy, it finally tells its story.

The Alien's Story

The creature was far older than anyone guessed, aged maybe sixteen or seventeen standard years. It lived with its nest of some forty or fifty adults and children in a small village on the savanna between jungle and desert. As a mere nestling, it was taken from its home (along with two siblings) by rough men wearing guns and uniforms with silver discs as insignia. It spent weeks in a cage in the hold of a ship, and was finally transferred to a terrible prison, where it has spent the last year. The prison was described as a lot of individual cells, each crowded with varieties of aliens, and manned by metal monsters.

Weeks ago, he managed to escape by sneaking of his cell and leaping into the icy waters around his prison. Washed up on the beach, almost dead, he recovered and worked his way here, living off the fruits and berries of the land. Initially hiding, he sometimes tried to get aid form local humans, but they drove him away with rocks.

It ends its story with a plea, "They'll kill my nest-mates I just know it. They're planning terrible experiments on them. Won't you help? Please."

This is where the adventure begins.

The Alien: a Chirper
- Chirpers are a semi-intelligent race native to Vanejen
- they are not popular with local people
- his name is "Chiree" (approximate human pronunciation)
- he is about 1 meter tall
- covered with small scaly feathers
- has a large head, with eyes that can see about a 270º span
- has small wings on his back, that cannot support flight, adult forms may be able to fly
- tapering long tail
- bird-like feet, human-like hands
- Stats: Str - 3, Dex - 4, End - 6, Int - 5, Edu - 4, Soc - 0
- Special notes: high endurance in the icy waters
- Int. approximate, alien has limited grasp of language
- is a juvenile of his species
- Soc. level- Chirpers not well liked on Vanejen
- Chipers inhabited the world before humans, but are considered useless as labor because of their small size and weakness
- they are prone to wandering off if they get bored
- humans exiled them to a reservation on the barren northern continent
- "When the Long Night fell, the reversion to barbarism put an end to any semblance of even-handed treatment of the chirpers, and the little aliens are fast becoming extinct."


Actions? I suggest introductions first.

[spanningtree]

Ringar - Retired Scout

Looking at the chirper with wide eyes... he will turn back to his friends to see which of them is trying to prank him. Realizing reality is intact he turns back to the chirper: Hey little buddy, that is the sorriest story I have heard in a long time... maybe all time. He'll turn back to he friends to gauge their reactions.

[Pulpatoon]

December Babu, former Navy Ensign who has been looking for work in either medicine or computer repair, eyes the rest of the bar's inhabitants to see how they are reacting to the presence of Chirper. "Perhaps we should have this conversation somewhere more discreet?"

[ybn1197]

Madox Yartok, Former 2nd officer of a merchant vessel

Madox cautiously peers over his right shoulder and then his left. This is definitely not the place to have THIS conversation. He throws the rest of his drink back and then proceeds to stand up. I'll be outside.

[ffilz]

Giotto Lombardi says "Hmm, a very troubling story, yes, let's retire somewhere more discreet.

[spanningtree]

Ringar, recently retired deep space exploration pilot/navigator with the Scouts.

Looking around a bit nervously: Where do you propose? Perhaps one of our rooms, mine?

[Pulpatoon]

December Babu: "If you don't mind hosting us on short notice, it would be appreciated."

[SpinwardMarch]

As you discuss what to do, the barkeep notices you and the chirper. He scowls for a moment, and then abruptly announces that the bar will be closing, as of now! And take that chirper with you. As the group leaves, Madox notices the barkeep going to the phone.

Actions?

[ffilz]

Clearly we've raised some suspicions, how familiar with the area is Giotto? If he's been here a while he should have some idea of the place (though he doesn't have Streetwise... bummer... but with Bribery maybe he's got a feel for how the authorities act).

No matter what, we want to get someplace discreet fast...

[SpinwardMarch]

I assume all the characters have been on Vanejen for at least one month, so they know a little about the place.

[Pulpatoon]

December Babu looks around nervously. "Let us get off the street as quickly as we can."

Does the barkeep's reaction seem in keeping with general local prejudice, or something more?
How big is the native? Small enough to obscure in a jacket while we make our way to somewhere private?

[spanningtree]

Ringar

Let's have a conversation in my room... Ringar will lead his friends and the chriper to his room.

OCC: Making the assumption Ringar has a hotel room or the like.

[Jernau35]

Harvan Jrec - Ex-Marine Trooper

Jrec catches up with the group. "What's going on? I just came out of the head back there and the barkeep told me to get out." He looks at the Chirper. "Something to do with this...guy?"

Sorry everybody! Didn't look down the list to see if we'd started

[Pulpatoon]

December Babu: "The little guy has a tale of woe. We'd like to hear more, but the locals don't seem to like being reminded that this planet belonged to someone else first. So we're popping over to Ringar's place for a chance to talk without prying eyes. You want to come?"

[ybn1197]

Madox nods at December's recounting of the recent events; all the while keeping his eyes open for anyone taking an interest in the group or the chirper with them.

[Jernau35]

Harvan Jrec - Ex-Marine Trooper

"Sounds like a plan", says Jrec. "Lead on". He looks at at Ringar. "You got anything to drink there?"

[spanningtree]

Ringar leads the way to his room. Yeah, I have a bottle of vodka, you know, just in case....

[SpinwardMarch]

Ringar's room is in a somewhat run-down hotel, three long blocks from the bar.

Reminder: If the group members want to leave this planet, being frugal is a good idea.

As you walk to the hotel room, Madox notices two police officers walking purposefully toward the group.

How does the group react?

[Pulpatoon]

"Excuse me, no disrespect intended." December drapes his jacket over the chirper. "Just to keep from drawing undue attention."

As the police take interest in their company, he asks, sotto voce, "Does anyone know the actual legal status of associating with the natives? It can't be explicitly illegal, can it? Perhaps we should act as though we have nefarious plans for the poor thing?"

[Jernau35]

Jrec

"From what I heard, they're about as popular as a fart in a vacc-suit", says Jrec flatly, trying to look casual. "If we tell the cops we want to keep him, we're gonna be in trouble. If we hand him over, he's gonna be in trouble".

"Do you reckon they'll take a few credits to look the other way?"