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Post by Spwack on Jun 25, 2021 6:56:59 GMT
Welcome to the station traveller! Please read the following info-packet carefully, hard copies are also available at all station-side retail outlets for a small fee. What you don't know can, and often will, hurt you. This document is sponsored by the Jovian Confederation Representatives, and the Gracyl-Main Manufacturing Consortium. Remember, we're always watching!
SH81 was built by the Amalthean Mining Corporation several decades ago. The eventual purported bankruptcy of the host company and the incredibly complex legal proceedings has placed it's legal status in permanent limbo*. It now acts as a free-trade zone and disputed territory in the Jupiter system, with multiple unanswerable questions regarding ownership and corporate status. This status is explicitly not non-contraindicated by official Jovian Confed sources. Make sure to check the info-page of your local governing body before engaging in any commerical activities aboard SH81.
*How this multi-billion credit station ended up with the permanent status of being "lost property" is the subject of a number of detailed inter-system commercial and legal investigations. If you think you can figure it out, let us know in the comments!
Amalthea is the 5th largest moon of Jupiter, and the 3rd orbiting from the centre. It has no permanent civilian habitation facilities.
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Post by Spwack on Jun 25, 2021 6:58:25 GMT
Station Map
SH81 has a standard layout, a central column with fives rings stacked. The station rotates to give a comfortable 0.3 G in each of the rings.
Spaceport - Non-rotating, large Confed warship docked Central Spindle - Recycling, air, water, inter-ring transport Pillars off of north end of spindle - Admin, security Ring 1 - Light industry, processing, warehouse, hydroponics Ring 2 - Economy residential, school, research, resort Ring 3 - The Mall, office blocks, food court, arcade, gym, churches, bars, restaurants, strip-clubs Ring 4 - Luxury residential, empty space, park, robot hunting, authentic church Ring 5 - [WARNING] under repairs and mostly uninhabitable Power Generation - 5 out of 6 functioning newtronium generators, non-rotating, south end of spindle
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Post by Spwack on Jun 25, 2021 7:00:43 GMT
Station message-board
The following information is available on the local station network, and accessible using public interfaces.
((Investigate a message further to reveal the metadata and any linked contact information))
* 2902 Harley Davidson, redone levitators, custom job, must sell or trade for lawyer * Feeling lost? Unsure of yourself? Doubtful of the future? Alone? So do I. You're not special * Station tour guide requested, reply soon * UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY New merchants wanted! No licence required, insurance provided * Have you dreamt of becoming a HOLOVID STAR? *** Make your dreams come true!1 * Reward offered for information leading to capture of chef * DRUGS 4 SALE * For sale: childlike sense of wonder, enriched plutonium, balance, lost socks, evidence of military conspiracy, hats (stolen)l * Hot singles in your area! * Contact June in FORTY MINUTES * LOST: Arm, last seen with hand attached, has sentimental value * Can anybody identify this egg? * Auction items today: pilot licence level 6 - unknown storage (?) pod - surplus research gear * LOST DOG * Do not use this channel, we are under attack * Where are you? 19421 * Cleaning crew wanted, urgent * NOTICE FOR ALL USERS - - Illegal activity and incitement of illegal activity is strictly against board policy * 16938892601 32703793663 421637169388 * HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKESl * Expert advice, no refunds * BX-492 Weapon shipment requires fulfilment, accepting tenders * This space intentionally left blank * For bad time call this number * Want to byu or rent spaceship for 10 mins * For the last time: NO * Are unknowingly part of a cult or engaged in a terrorist plot? It may be more likely than you think * meet at church, noon. bring hat. last warning. * Hating the commotion and commute? Want to get away from it all? Luxury timeshare orbital habitats selling FAST!!! * HIRING * .... .- / .... .- / .--. .-- -. -.. / -. ..- -... * FRIEND is always observing * iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiggh * e = mc^4.1 under certain circumstances * Fancy working for a highly charismatic and generally amazing one-of-a-kind individual? Maybe you are the minion I need to achieve my dreams! Enquire within * Has anyone misplaced a really ugly child? * Don't use any of the intra-station lifts between 2150 and 2155. Please trust me * Hello? Is anyone there? I think something has gone terribly wrong * [MESSAGE CORRUPTED] * Left left right, down three floors, second door (pull, ignore the sign), and say Bob sent you * X: 175593, Y: 93, Z: 2066 * The Vents Are Where It Sleeps * S> Tickets off of this shithole station * Instant Diagnosis Available On Demand * We should be friends! * PSA: Self-replicating nanoweapons cannot breach the skin, and are destroyed by heat! Eyes, Mouth, Nose, Fire. Remember, only you can prevent Grey Goo * [URGENT] [PURCHASE] Backup generator class 61a, <1m
Adding a message to the board costs as little as 1 credit.
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Post by Spwack on Jun 25, 2021 7:03:17 GMT
red_kangarooWelcome to the station! Introduce your character here, you are currently on the inter-ring lift, preparing to travel to anywhere in the station you like. Unfortunately, you owe 5000 credits to the entity known only as FRIEND (1 credit is roughly $10). You can decide why you owe this much money, and what happened to it. FRIEND has given you 72 hours to demonstrate your ability to begin repayments, otherwise, you and your assets will be liquidated.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jun 29, 2021 6:49:14 GMT
Hm, can I check the newsphere about any of upcoming events, parties, grand openings, etc?
Do I have contact info on FRIEND? If not, I'd like to investigate the "FRIEND is always observing" message.
And also the "DRUGS 4 SALE" message.
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Post by Spwack on Jun 29, 2021 8:03:01 GMT
The station message-board is where you would find such things, if of course anyone would be willing to post such invitations in such a public way.
The "DRUGS 4 SALE" message has an anonymised contact number attached. You can call them from here if you want.
Just before you press the "FRIEND" message, a smiley face pops up, blocking the message-board and making it glitch out a little.
"GREETINGS. WELCOME TO THE STATION, CONTACT-ID 6591_PIPI. HOW MAY I ASSIST YOUR PROGRESS?"
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jun 29, 2021 9:08:48 GMT
"Yeah, I'm new here and I don't know the ins and outs, the lay of the land, if you get my drift. You gave me three days, I don't have the time to go make contacts and stake out a target. So you give me a target and I can prove myself. There must be something you need help procuring, what'cha say?"
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Post by Spwack on Jun 29, 2021 9:56:15 GMT
FRIEND is silent for a moment. Then: "YOU HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE HELPFUL CLIENT CONTACT LIST. ANOTHER CLIENT MAY REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH A TASK. IF YOU CAN ASSIST, YOU MAY BE REWARDED WITH DEBT REDUCTION OF UP TO 1500.0 CREDITS."
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jun 29, 2021 10:22:44 GMT
"Wonderful. I'll be all giddy for your call, then."
I would like to take the lift to Ring 4 and see if there's a security booth at the entrance, or if one can freely get in.
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Post by Spwack on Jun 29, 2021 14:00:24 GMT
FRIEND blips away without another word.
The lift pushes you firmly to the floor as you accelerate towards Ring 4. The door opens, and you see before you a remarkably large park for a space station, with windows providing views of Jupiter glowing over the horizon. There isn't a security booth, but there are two different cameras looking at you right now. One is a subtle glass orb built into the wall, the other is a clunky bit of tech that has clearly been bolted into place.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jun 29, 2021 20:16:02 GMT
I try to look like I belong and stroll to the windows, stopping there for some sight-seeing (and to test if anyone will be shooing me out).
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Post by Spwack on Jun 30, 2021 6:35:55 GMT
It's a wonderful view. In fact, it's a spectacular view, especially with how the trees frame the gas giant beyond those windows. If you could afford a house with a view like this (and you can see a few of those houses nearby, and you cannot) you'd probably spend a lot of your time looking at out it.
Honestly? It's weird that nobody has tried to shoo you out. You haven't seen a single person on this ring so far.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jun 30, 2021 14:35:41 GMT
Then I venture further through the park, trying to make out what houses and other buildings are there.
Can I recall some name of someone who I know/think lives in one of these houses?
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Post by Spwack on Jul 1, 2021 5:52:20 GMT
You can see a variety of villas and properties nestled amongst the trees. The only thing you see moving is a buzzing drone, sweeping up a few fallen leaves before skittering away. Some of the buildings have fences delineating them, but most are just settled right next to the edge of the path. Everything is completely silent, even the usual hum of air-cycling about a station has been muffled.
Unfortunately, your character knows about as many pertinent details as you do.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jul 1, 2021 7:46:06 GMT
Hm, very strange. I keep going.
There should be a church around here somewhere. If I see it, I will check it out.
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Post by Spwack on Jul 4, 2021 10:23:37 GMT
You peek your way through the undergrowth, but nothing approaches either. You spot a strange dome of glass in the distance, and head towards that. In a clearing, beneath the dome, sits an ancient stone ruin, a smallish church that has clearly seen better days. Moss and vines tangle over and across it, the door is hanging off the hinges a little, the cross is black with verdigris. You can see an airlock leading into the dome near you as well, closed and sealed.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jul 5, 2021 8:36:10 GMT
"Someone clearly doesn't know what to do with creds..."
Does the airlock have a number pad, or another way of opening it? I will peek through the glass of the dome.
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Post by Spwack on Jul 6, 2021 10:11:49 GMT
It has a number pad that looks only slight newer than the church, blocky and stained keys and only room for four digits. You can see clearly through the glass, are you looking for anything in particular? Nothing is moving.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jul 6, 2021 19:24:48 GMT
I will try to write "1234" on the pad. If that doesn't work, I will go towards the nearest villa and peer inside to see if I spot anybody. This is starting to be quite creepy.
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Post by Spwack on Jul 7, 2021 2:36:16 GMT
Bzzt. The airlock stays shut.
Peering in through the partly curtained windows, you think you can see someone moving around in there? Are they... dancing? Weird.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jul 7, 2021 16:25:46 GMT
I knock on the window. Does the window seem openable?
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Post by Spwack on Jul 10, 2021 6:47:36 GMT
There's no response from inside. You could lift it with a bit of difficulty, it wouldn't be easy or quiet.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jul 10, 2021 13:24:07 GMT
I will try opening it, but stop if there is any response from the inside.
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Post by Spwack on Jul 11, 2021 12:01:59 GMT
Creeeeeak. You wince at the noise, but there's no response. The area around you seems even more silent in comparison, after the shriek of the long-stuck window echoes out. Then you wince again, at the smell - like something has died. Flicking the curtain aside, you can see inside the room.
The Dancer - An emaciated figure, standing in ragged synthetic clothes that are dripping and dropping off them. Cables, leads, pipes and tubes trail from all around them, from the truly massive entertainment setup at the front of the room, from the rooms beyond, from some kind of medical couch, all converging in a smooth knot-free tangle. They reek, a horrific scent of rotten meat and stale fluids. Their upper part of their head is encased in block of dark plastic and metal, entirely closing them in, away from the world. They look horrific, swaying there in the middle of the room, arms and legs like twigs, but they have the broadest smile possible on their sunken face.
From elsewhere in the villa, you can hear the sound of scuttling. From somewhere in the bushes behind you, you can hear more scuttling.
What do you do?
((Yikes))
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jul 11, 2021 14:34:38 GMT
I clamber through the window and see if there's anything besides the VR setup in the room. I will keep my distance from the dancer and also keep an eye on all doors and the window I opened, in case of security bots. I will try to explore the villa a bit.
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Post by Spwack on Jul 12, 2021 4:21:36 GMT
There's quite a few couches scattered around the room, pushed up against the walls mostly. There are some low tables and lamps, many of them knocked over.
From upstairs, you hear the scuttling sound get louder, then a small drone the size of a plate flips down onto the ceiling. It's large eye focuses directly on you, and it makes a few blipping noises.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jul 12, 2021 12:45:30 GMT
I wave at it and go upstairs, the way from where it came.
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Post by Spwack on Jul 13, 2021 5:41:26 GMT
It follows you, making beeps and blips. Upstairs is a set of bedrooms, mostly covered in a thin layer of dust, with a wide window overlooking the parkland beyond. You can see something large moving through the undergrowth.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Jul 13, 2021 7:48:00 GMT
Large enough that it wouldn't fit through the windows/doors of this house?
I rummage through the rooms, hopefully triggering my Scavenger career.
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Post by Spwack on Jul 14, 2021 3:56:18 GMT
No. But bigger than you.
It does! Under the high quality clothing that is in disarray everywhere, you find a laser pointer, some cheap jewellery, and under the bed, a dusty industrial-looking briefcase.
((You should record that briefcase as MD-43))
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