Chapter 4.2 – The Plan Comes Together

At the communications console built into the bulkhead of the Azure Voyager’s lounge, Edrin rereads the message Chaala approved. His fingers move across the projected keyboard as the new transmission forms on the display for everyone to see. He glances once around the table.

"Alright… here we go."

Then he keys the transmitter.

"Scout-Engineer Voss, this is Azure Voyager. We appreciate your report on the Free Captains. Two follow-ups. First — based on your interaction with him, what is your assessment of Captain Verik’s reliability as a conduit or intermediary should negotiations become necessary? Second — please report on the flight readiness of the cutter. We are evaluating whether the cutter could safely reach orbit if required. If any components or supplies are needed that you have been unable to source locally, advise. End message."

The transmission flashes outward in a narrow encrypted burst lasting less than a second before the transmitter falls silent again. Then the waiting begins. Several minutes pass before the receiver chirps. Edrin leans forward slightly as the encrypted reply begins resolving across the display.

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Azure Voyager, this is Scout-Engineer Voss.

Regarding Captain Verik. My contact with him has been limited, but he appears more comfortable interacting with the Alejia than the other traders. He speaks with them directly and without intermediaries more often than the others. That suggests some level of working familiarity, though whether that familiarity extends to trust is another matter. Frontier traders survive by adapting to local systems, not necessarily by respecting them. If you approach him, I believe word will eventually reach the Alejia. Whether that happens quickly or slowly depends on who is watching. I would assume the other traders will notice first. What they choose to do with that information is difficult to predict.

Regarding the cutter. Systems remain operational. I have kept power usage minimal for the last several months — life support, passive sensors, and communications only. Fuel reserves remain largely intact. From a mechanical standpoint the cutter should be capable of reaching orbit. Navigation and launch systems are functional. However… there is one complication. I cannot fly the thing. My pilot rating is theoretical at best and five months on the ground has not improved it. If the plan is to bring the cutter up to you, it will either require a pilot or remote guidance from orbit. End report.

A few seconds pass before another line appears on the display.

For what it’s worth — the cutter is in better shape than its pilot.

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Amara leans forward immediately, already thinking through the problem. "Alright," she says. "That part we can solve." She reaches over Edrin’s shoulder and pulls up the cutter’s telemetry channel. "If the avionics are intact, we can fly it from here." Her fingers move quickly across the controls as she opens a secondary communication channel.

"Engineer Voss, this is Chief Engineer Amara Troulin aboard Azure Voyager. Let’s check a few things. Confirm the cutter’s flight control bus is responding normally. I’ll transmit a remote command package that will allow us to link into the guidance system from orbit. Once that handshake is established, we can run the ascent profile from here. All you’ll need to do is strap in and make sure nothing catches fire."

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Azure Voyager, this is Voss. Understood. Flight control bus is responding normally. I will prepare the cockpit. And for the record… I am perfectly comfortable with the part of the plan where someone else flies the ship.

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Amara allows herself the faintest smile. "Good," she says calmly. "Because I am absolutely not letting you try." Across the lounge displays, the engineering link between ship and cutter begins to come alive. For the first time in months, the small craft sitting alone on the Alejian moon is no longer entirely isolated.

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GM Comment: Now - @Stalker05 will have to make a remote Ops roll and one of the characters will have to make a Pilot Roll.