Ok, let's assume that Adam wants to stay on good terms with the Freestar Collective so he's going to try to do things aboveboard here. If it goes south, he may decide to do things differently next time.
He reaches out to Freestar Security in the sector, reports the pirate attack, and notes he has an intact ship he'd like to claim.
The FC assumes self-defense in any situation where there are no witnesses (in the Starfield game) so we'll assume there are no reprisals coming (at least from the FC, who knows about the pirates).
Is there a bounty for the pirates he just killed? We'll say Unlikely. : 1d100 80 Yeah, these guys were nobodies.
Is there any way to identify the original owner of the pirate ship (who may want it back)? We'll say Very Unlikely. : 1d100 9 Sigh, that's a Yes. Adam will get a reward for recovering the ship but it's not his so he can't keep or sell it. I'm still taking the cargo though.
Is the cargo obviously stolen, and needing to be fenced? Generally, it's finders keepers and no one cares about where the goods came from so we'll say Very Unlikely. : 1d100 56 Ok, we're clear to sell the cargo. The only bad news here is that we're headed back to New Atlantis and these goods are going to sell for a higher price in the FC. I guess we'll just hold onto them until we can return.
Will the ship still be there when Adam returns? Narion is one of the three main FC systems so piracy should be low, our recent experience notwithstanding. So I'll say Very Likely. : 1d100 42 Yeah, we're good.
01 - Hiring a Crew
Re: 01 - Hiring a Crew
Adam carefully examines the cargo bay but there are no surprises down there. There are a number of crates of industrial tools, however. Adam rubs his hands with glee.
Ok, let's make this fast. Naruhiko, you have experience with scavenging so grab a vacc suit and help me move all these crates to the Courser. Should be easy in zero-G.
Once the crates are relocated to Adam's ship, and everyone is back on board, Adam sits down at the Comms and locates the wreckage of the Fighter they destroyed. He then has Naruhiko steer the Courser close enough that Adam can do a spacewalk in his vacc suit and collect some salvage he can use for ship or gear mods.
Once Adam is again back on the ship and out of his vacc suit, he contacts the FC on the local system emergency frequency. He explains they've fought off a pirate fighter attack and have taken control of the pirate's base ship. Roughly 45 minutes later, a FC patrol boat shows up. Adam allows them to dock with the Courser and come on board so they can investigate the pirate ship. The FC Navy engineer is able to find the ship's transponder and remove the spoofing the pirates were using to disguise it. Turns out the pirate ship is actually the FCS Yuma, out of Akila City. The FC Captain tells Adam that he'll have to return the Yuma to its rightful owner but can expect something in the neighborhood of 25% of the value of the ship as a salvage reward. Adam will have to share that with the crew but it's an incredible windfall for all involved.
As the Captain is leaving, he advises Adam that he will notify the owners of the location of the ship and he assumes that they will send a pilot to retrieve it. However, it's in Adam's best interest to do it himself if he can, as there's no guarantee the ship will still be there after a few weeks.
After the FC ship has departed, Adam orders Naruhiko to finish plotting the drill route to New Atlantis while he retracts the Boarding Tubes. The Yuma is a six figure payout if they can hustle to New Atlantis and back in time.
We'll say a Fighter-class ship has 1d6 units of salvage. : 1d6 4 That'll do.
Ok, let's make this fast. Naruhiko, you have experience with scavenging so grab a vacc suit and help me move all these crates to the Courser. Should be easy in zero-G.
Once the crates are relocated to Adam's ship, and everyone is back on board, Adam sits down at the Comms and locates the wreckage of the Fighter they destroyed. He then has Naruhiko steer the Courser close enough that Adam can do a spacewalk in his vacc suit and collect some salvage he can use for ship or gear mods.
Once Adam is again back on the ship and out of his vacc suit, he contacts the FC on the local system emergency frequency. He explains they've fought off a pirate fighter attack and have taken control of the pirate's base ship. Roughly 45 minutes later, a FC patrol boat shows up. Adam allows them to dock with the Courser and come on board so they can investigate the pirate ship. The FC Navy engineer is able to find the ship's transponder and remove the spoofing the pirates were using to disguise it. Turns out the pirate ship is actually the FCS Yuma, out of Akila City. The FC Captain tells Adam that he'll have to return the Yuma to its rightful owner but can expect something in the neighborhood of 25% of the value of the ship as a salvage reward. Adam will have to share that with the crew but it's an incredible windfall for all involved.
As the Captain is leaving, he advises Adam that he will notify the owners of the location of the ship and he assumes that they will send a pilot to retrieve it. However, it's in Adam's best interest to do it himself if he can, as there's no guarantee the ship will still be there after a few weeks.
After the FC ship has departed, Adam orders Naruhiko to finish plotting the drill route to New Atlantis while he retracts the Boarding Tubes. The Yuma is a six figure payout if they can hustle to New Atlantis and back in time.
We'll say a Fighter-class ship has 1d6 units of salvage. : 1d6 4 That'll do.
Re: 01 - Hiring a Crew
For now, I am keeping these lovable idiots as my crew, so let's roll on the NPC Relationship Table from Star Trader to flesh out their personalities a little more.
Naruhiko
NPC Relationship: 2d6 12 "Roll again but it's all an act. Why?"
NPC Relationship take 2: 2#1d6 3 2 "Secretly jealous" I guess we'll say the other crew members think Naru is secretly jealous of Adam but he really isn't. Not sure why just yet.
Olga
NPC: 2#1d6 4 3 "Married couple". I'll keep this one in my pocket for now. Who will Olga marry?
Judy
NPC: 2#1d6 5 5 "Bitter about a past event". This kind of doesn't sync with her happy go lucky personality. I'll have to think on this one a little longer.
Naruhiko
NPC Relationship: 2d6 12 "Roll again but it's all an act. Why?"
NPC Relationship take 2: 2#1d6 3 2 "Secretly jealous" I guess we'll say the other crew members think Naru is secretly jealous of Adam but he really isn't. Not sure why just yet.
Olga
NPC: 2#1d6 4 3 "Married couple". I'll keep this one in my pocket for now. Who will Olga marry?
Judy
NPC: 2#1d6 5 5 "Bitter about a past event". This kind of doesn't sync with her happy go lucky personality. I'll have to think on this one a little longer.
Re: 01 - Hiring a Crew
Narion transition zone
Narion system
29 January 2331
Naruhiko programs in the drill route and the Courser jumps into drillspace on its way to New Atlantis.
The trip is uneventful, with the only difference being Adam shadowing Naru on his piloting duties, and studying every chance he gets. Adam intends to make the jump into the pilot's chair himself once they return to the Yuma.
New Atlantis Spaceport, New Atlantis
Jemison, Alpha Centauri
6 February 2331
Immediately after landing at New Atlantis spaceport, Adam addresses the crew.
You have 12 hours of shore leave. I am going to get my friend Decima here properly settled, see how much of the damage can be repaired in 12 hours, get some food loaded, and then we're going back to Narion.
Everyone nods in understanding.
If you want out of my crew, tell me now. I'll pay your salary and you're free to go. Just note that anyone who doesn't come back with me forfeits their share of the salvage from the Yuma.
If there are any issues with serving under Adam, the lure of a big payout drowns them out. Everyone is staying.
First and final warning: I'm leaving in 12 hours with or without you. Don't try to make me wait for you, because I won't.
Adam is a little more relaxed walking around New Atlantis with Decima in tow, not that it stops him from carrying a laser pistol with him. They head to Combatech HQ with no incident.
When they arrive, Luda sees them immediately and is all smiles.
Great to see you, Adam! And also happy to see you too, Mr. Decima.
I have your 'sales figures' in the case, just like you asked.
Oh don't be too upset, Adam. I couldn't really tell you the real goal here. In my business, discretion is the better part of valor.
The better part of continued employment in your case as well, right?
Luda smiles even wider. Luckily for both of us, we won't have to wonder about that. The prototype is back, safe and sound.
She pushes a credstick across the desk to Adam. As promised, your pay plus a bonus for meeting my deadline.
Adam glances at the credstick and sees 3000 cr loaded on it.
Adam rises to his feet and mimics tipping his cap. Pleasure doing business with you. Forgive my hastiness but I've got important business to attend to.
Adam turns to Decima and offers his hand. Nice to meet you Mettius. Sorry you missed out on your vacation but hopefully you had your fill of adventure.
Mettius smiles and even manages a small laugh while shaking Adam's hand. I never imagined I'd be the hunted and not the hunter. It was not a pleasant experience. But thank you for keeping me safe.
Adam nods and heads back to the spaceport.
He orders his fuel tanks refilled, larder refreshed, and inquires as to the chances of repairs happening soon. On short notice, the best they can do is 2 hp of damage repaired. Adam pays the 2000 cr and signs the contract.
I am going to say the initial mission is now complete and, with that, I am going to level up Adam to lvl 2. As you may have guessed, I am going to take a skill point in Pilot. I have some thoughts about space combat and a NPC crew as well, and I'm leaning toward leveling up the crew with me.
Narion system
29 January 2331
Naruhiko programs in the drill route and the Courser jumps into drillspace on its way to New Atlantis.
The trip is uneventful, with the only difference being Adam shadowing Naru on his piloting duties, and studying every chance he gets. Adam intends to make the jump into the pilot's chair himself once they return to the Yuma.
New Atlantis Spaceport, New Atlantis
Jemison, Alpha Centauri
6 February 2331
Immediately after landing at New Atlantis spaceport, Adam addresses the crew.
You have 12 hours of shore leave. I am going to get my friend Decima here properly settled, see how much of the damage can be repaired in 12 hours, get some food loaded, and then we're going back to Narion.
Everyone nods in understanding.
If you want out of my crew, tell me now. I'll pay your salary and you're free to go. Just note that anyone who doesn't come back with me forfeits their share of the salvage from the Yuma.
If there are any issues with serving under Adam, the lure of a big payout drowns them out. Everyone is staying.
First and final warning: I'm leaving in 12 hours with or without you. Don't try to make me wait for you, because I won't.
Adam is a little more relaxed walking around New Atlantis with Decima in tow, not that it stops him from carrying a laser pistol with him. They head to Combatech HQ with no incident.
When they arrive, Luda sees them immediately and is all smiles.
Great to see you, Adam! And also happy to see you too, Mr. Decima.
I have your 'sales figures' in the case, just like you asked.
Oh don't be too upset, Adam. I couldn't really tell you the real goal here. In my business, discretion is the better part of valor.
The better part of continued employment in your case as well, right?
Luda smiles even wider. Luckily for both of us, we won't have to wonder about that. The prototype is back, safe and sound.
She pushes a credstick across the desk to Adam. As promised, your pay plus a bonus for meeting my deadline.
Adam glances at the credstick and sees 3000 cr loaded on it.
Adam rises to his feet and mimics tipping his cap. Pleasure doing business with you. Forgive my hastiness but I've got important business to attend to.
Adam turns to Decima and offers his hand. Nice to meet you Mettius. Sorry you missed out on your vacation but hopefully you had your fill of adventure.
Mettius smiles and even manages a small laugh while shaking Adam's hand. I never imagined I'd be the hunted and not the hunter. It was not a pleasant experience. But thank you for keeping me safe.
Adam nods and heads back to the spaceport.
He orders his fuel tanks refilled, larder refreshed, and inquires as to the chances of repairs happening soon. On short notice, the best they can do is 2 hp of damage repaired. Adam pays the 2000 cr and signs the contract.
I am going to say the initial mission is now complete and, with that, I am going to level up Adam to lvl 2. As you may have guessed, I am going to take a skill point in Pilot. I have some thoughts about space combat and a NPC crew as well, and I'm leaning toward leveling up the crew with me.