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[BerkaZerka]

[BerkaZerka]

[BerkaZerka]

[BerkaZerka]

[BerkaZerka]

The Good Ship Circes

Ship Stats
Owner/Fleet:   Mariner Cruise Lines
Length:   480’
Beam:      71’
Gross Tons:    18800
Passengers:   216
Crew:      132

The cruise ship Circes is a 480’ long, 71’ wide, pleasure ship on the Jovian water-world of Europa that takes passengers, from its port in Capitol City, on various cruises to some of Europa’s more unique and natural wonders.  The ship is one of the smaller vessels in its fleet (the Mariner Cruise Line), hosting no more than 216 passengers with a crew of 132.

Character Rooms
The characters are onboard, assigned to any cabins or suites they like, except Jacuzzi Suites 1 and 2, and Executive Suite 4 – which are already occupied by other guests.

Montoya: Jacuzzi Suite 12
Gilbert: Cabin 24 (closest to the stairs leading down to the buffet)
Butch & Moonkit: Cabin 51
Tubbs: Cabin 49 (adjoining 51)
Crystal & Cillian: Executive Suite 3
Jacob: Deluxe Cabin 17
Ethel: Executive Suite 8

---

General information on the vessel and its deck plans are readily available over the Net, as well as being posted in various locations throughout each deck.  Below is a brief description of the areas onboard.

Aft Storage, B Deck: The area here is used for the storage of ship cargo, spare parts, and other heavy equipment.

Anchor Deck, A Deck:  The Anchor Deck is a restricted area 6’ below the level of the Disco Deck and is accessible only through a hatch coming up from the Water Control Room below.  Here the ship’s massive anchors and other dangerous equipment are stowed while not in use.

Arcade, A Deck:  The Arcade is entered through an open arch with a raised metal screen that can be lowered when necessary to secure the area.  Inside is a dizzying array of vibrant and noisy video and virtual reality games, guaranteed to suck hours from one’s life, and the life from one’s wallet.

Art Gallery, A Deck:  The Art Gallery is entered through an open arch with a raised metal screen that can be lowered when necessary to secure the shop.  Inside are displayed many fine works of art and sculpture for sale, as well as a catalog of art objects on display throughout the ship – all of which can be purchased here for the right price.

Barber, Promenade Deck:  This is a ‘Man’s’ barbershop with no fancy embellishments, save its shop window and barber pole outside the door.

Beauty Salon, Promenade Deck:  The ship’s Beauty Salon offers high-class hairstyling as well as doing nails and other salon services.  Large shop windows on either side of the door allow passengers to see into the salon as they walk by.

Bed 1-4, B Deck:  These rooms each contain two curtained beds and are used by the ship’s hospital unit to care for seriously injured, sick, or quarantined patients.

Boutique, Promenade Deck:  The ship’s Boutique is graced on its entry side by a large shop window and sells a variety of sundry items, including swimsuits, lingerie, and personal hygiene products.

Cabins 21-54 (Locked: Electronic, Swipe Card), B Deck:  All passenger cabins and suites are accessed by an electronic lock with swipe card, issued to each passenger as they board, and contain a private bathroom and shower.  A simple maid service also comes with each room, plus a paid room service, which can be accessed twenty-four hours per day via the shipboard phone system included in each room.  The standard passenger cabin is cleanly furnished, but somewhat cramped, with two large sealed portholes in the outer hull to let some natural light in.

Card Room, A Deck:  The Card Room is a quiet place to sit and play cards or other tabletop games.

[BerkaZerka]

Casino Lounge, Promenade Deck:  The Casino Lounge offers both bar and grill, serving a full compliment of exotic drinks and liquors, as well as ‘Classic American’ burger fare.

Chapel, A Deck:  The ship’s Chapel is an elegantly ornamented place of worship, offering a daily prayer meeting, non-denominational weekend devotional services, and marriage ceremonies by arrangement.  The ship’s Chaplin and his staff are also available around the clock for any personal counseling that might be sought by both passengers and crew.

Children’s Room Daycare (Locked: Simple Hard), Promenade Deck:  This is the ship’s daycare and activity room for its younger passengers.  The room is cheerfully decorated and set up in a classroom-like manner with various areas for story telling, arts and crafts, and play.  The doors to the daycare are kept locked at all times and the four-person staff will only release children to their parents, who must sign them in and out when they come to drop them off or pick them up.

Coffee Shop, A Deck:  The Coffee Shop is entered through an open arch with a raised metal screen that can be lowered when necessary to secure the area.  Inside is cozy little coffee shop that also offers a variety of health drinks, some baked goods, and other light fare.

Conference Room, A Deck:  The Conference Room is a private space for rent, which passengers can use to host meetings, seminars, conventions, or other private functions.

Cool Treats, Bridge Deck:  The Cool Treats shack offers ice cream and other cool treats to passengers on the Sun Deck, which can be bought through a small counter-window in the aft wall of the shack.

Cruise Director, B Deck:  This is the Cruise Director’s office, where information on the ship’s schedules and activates is planned and directed.

Deluxe Cabin 13-20 (Locked: Electronic, Swipe Card), A Deck:  Though still a bit cramped, the Deluxe Cabins are set apart from the standard cabins by a higher quality of furnishings and a fully windowed outer wall.

Disco Deck, A Deck:  The Disco Deck provides overflow for the Disco Lounge and is occupied at its outside edge by umbrella tables and deck chairs.  Music from the Disco Lounge is piped through speakers out to the Disco Deck and a variety of lights and strobes are used at night to liven up the area.

Disco Lounge, A Deck:  The Disco Lounge is a lively dance club complete with a hardwood dance floor, vibrant strobe lights, giant disco ball, raised DJ booth and well-stocked bar.

E:  Located throughout the ship, these are the ship’s elevators.

Entryway, (Locked: Remote Electronic), B Deck:  These are the two entryways for passenger loading, one on the port side of the ship and one on the starboard side.  Both remain closed and locked while the ship is underway.  While the doors are manually opened from the Entryway location, the lock itself is controlled from a panel in the Loading Office.

Event Board, Promenade Deck:  The area here is a large concave bulletin board plastered with information and flyers for the various shipboard activities and events.  A smaller section of the bulletin board is reserved for passenger use and includes a number of mundane postings. 

Exam 1-3, B Deck:  These are examination rooms for the ship’s hospital unit, each containing an examination table, a few small chairs, and some cabinets stocked with the typical assortment of first aid kits, medical equipment, and supplies.

[BerkaZerka]

Executive Suite 3-10 (Locked: Electronic, Swipe Card), Bridge Deck:  The Executive Suites are exceptionally luxurious, coming with a fully windowed outer wall and private covered balcony.  The furnishings and services are all top notch and include (in addition to the standard maid and room service) a breakfast service as well as free laundry and dry cleaning.

Fitness Deck, A Deck:  The Fitness Deck is half covered by the Promenade Deck above, and is filled with a variety of free weights, exercise equipment, and yoga mats.  The ship offers a wide variety of fitness programs and the deck is usually quite busy during the day.

Gift Shop, Promenade Deck:  The Gift Shop is entered through an open arch with a raised metal screen that can be lowered when necessary to secure the shop.  A sturdy glass window makes up the entire starboard wall of the shop, allowing passengers to see into the shop from the outside.  The shop itself sells all the standard gift shop fare; including gifts, mementos, medicines, snacks, and small convenience items.

Hospital, B Deck:  This is the ship’s hospital and emergency surgical center. 

Hot Tub, Bridge Deck:  This is a large bubbling hot tub with a submerged sitting ledge surrounding its perimeter.

Info, B Deck:  The long curved counter here is used during loading to help passengers find their way.

Jacuzzi Suite 1, 2, 11, 12 (Locked: Electronic, Swipe Card), Bridge Deck:  The Jacuzzi Suites are the most luxurious and spacious of all the passenger cabins, each with a fully windowed outer wall, a private covered balcony, and outdoor jacuzzi.  The furnishings and services are all top notch and include (in addition to the standard maid and room service) a breakfast service as well as free laundry and dry cleaning.

Janitor (Jan) (Locked: Simple Hard):  Each of the Janitor rooms throughout the ship contain a deep sink and cabinets and shelves stocked with equipment, chemicals, and supplies needed for the day-to-day maintenance and upkeep of each deck of the ship.

Kiddy Pool, Bridge Deck:  This is a wide but shallow pool for small children and their parents that includes a central sprinkler and a few jets of fountaining water.

Lab, B Deck:  This is the ship hospital unit’s lab for handling medicines, cultures, biohazards, and other interesting things.  It contains a small sink, a diagnostic workstation, and a variety of cabinets stocked with a diverse assortment medical equipment and supplies.  A sturdy metal cabinet, secured with a padlock, holds the ship’s store of drugs.

Laundry (Locked: Electronic, Swipe Card), A Deck:  This is a private coin-operated laundry for passengers with Deluxe Cabin accommodations and is opened with the same card that allows access to their rooms.

Library, Bridge Deck:  This is the ship’s library, where passengers can come to check out both books and movies.  Like any library, it is filled with tables, chairs, and shelves and shelves of books and movie CDs, but also showcases many pieces of fine art and sculpture as well.  Passengers can also access the Net from the library at a few public computer terminals located along the aft wall.

Lifeboats (not shown on map):  All lifeboats for the ship are located above the Bridge Deck, which is accessible only via the ladder and hatch in the Map and Communications Room.  In the event that the lifeboats would need deployed, they can be lowered to the Promenade Deck for boarding, either by computer control on the Bridge itself or, if necessary, manually at each lifeboat up topside.

[BerkaZerka]

Linen (Locked: Simple Hard):  Each of the Linen rooms throughout the ship contain multiple shelves of fresh linen and large wheeled hampers and carts for maid’s service work.

Loading Area (Locked: Simple Hard), B Deck: The Loading Area is entered through two clearly marked and locked restricted doors. Inside is a small forklift (chained down when the ship is underway), stacks of pallets, and other equipment used to facilitate the movement and storage of heavy objects. A wide cargo elevator can also be found here, used to lower large equipment and parts from the Loading Area to the Machine Shop below.

M/W:  Located throughout the ship, these are men and women’s restrooms of various sizes and decor.

Maid’s Office (Locked: Simple Hard), B Deck:  The Maid’s Office is where the ship’s maid staff reports for work and receives their cleaning schedules for the day.  The room is filled with service carts and various cleaning supplies.

Main Dining, C Deck:  The main Dining Area is filled with tables and chairs to accommodate both passenger and crew meals; all served on a strict schedule.  It includes four large buffet tables – the central of which surrounds a massive aquarium filled with a startling variety of colorful fish – a well-stocked kitchen, and both Cold and Dry Storage accessible through the kitchen.  Self-closing restricted doors to the fore and aft of the Main Dining area are used to enter the crew spaces and are locked on the dining side with simple hard locks; opened with each crewmember’s cabin key.

Office, B Deck:  This is the ship hospital unit’s administrative office and check-in for passenger medical services.  The room is set up like any small office, with desks, computers, and some file cabinets.  A small counter-window opens from the Office into the Waiting Room, where patients can speak through to the nurses within.

Party Room, A Deck:  The Party Room is a private space for rent, which passengers can use to host parties or other private functions.

Passenger Laundry, B Deck:  The area here is a coin-operated laundry for passenger use.

Pay Out (Locked: Electronic, Key Code), Promenade:  This is the Pay Out window for the Royal Casino and can only be entered through the casino Security room via an electronic lock and key code.  A number of pretty women work here, selling and redeeming the trays-and-trays of casino tokens and chips stored within.

Pool, Bridge Deck:  The ship’s swimming pool, which includes a surrounding stone patio and diving board, is unique in that its bottom is actually fashioned from a thick sheet of stained-glass.  This allows sunlight and the slightly obscured shapes of swimmers to be seen in the pool from the Royal Casino below.  At night, colorful lights from the casino shine up through the pool, giving it an almost mystical appearance.

Private Dining, C Deck:  There are two private dining rooms on the ship, generally used by bridge officers, but also available for rent to passengers for special dinners or other private functions.

Projection (Proj) Box (Locked: Simple Hard), Promenade Deck:  This small room houses the projector and movie selection for the ship’s Stadium Theater. 

Promenade Deck, Promenade Deck:  The Promenade Deck is a nice area to relax and see where the ship has been.  It is occupied mostly by deckchairs, but also contains an area for playing shuffleboard and a few umbrella tables set outside the doors to the Casino Lounge.

Promenade, Promenade Deck:  The Promenade is an open covered deck that wraps around the ship, allowing passengers a place to jog, take romantic strolls, or just relax in any of the many deck chairs that line its perimeter.

Purser’s Office, B Deck:  This is the office of the ship’s Purser, who coordinates the loading of passengers and their belongings.  Should a passenger wish something placed in the ship’s Vault, they can have it arranged through the ship’s Purser.

R:  This indicates a restricted area, as indicated on the door entering the area in question.

[BerkaZerka]

Reading Nook, Bridge Deck:  The area here is filled with comfortable armchairs and reading tables, to allow passengers a quite place to enjoy a good read.  Like the library, the Reading Nook also showcases many pieces of fine art and sculpture.

Rock Climb, Bridge Deck:  A rock-climbing wall ascends 50’ up the back of the ship’s smokestack from the Sun Deck, accommodating up to four passengers at a time.

Royal Casino (No Minors), Promenade Deck:  The Royal Casino is a noisy and garishly decorated area abuzz with excitement at all times of the day – even late into the evening.  Its most prominent feature is its unique ceiling, which is actually in part composed of the stained-glass bottom of the ship’s swimming pool above.  During the day, sunlight and the slightly obscured shapes of swimmers can be seen in the pool above, while at night, the ceiling serves as a dark mirror, reflecting back the lights and activities of the casino below.  The casino floor itself hosts all of the classic games of chance, as well as the flashiest of slot machines, and is an ‘Adults Only’ area.  Cameras and an alert security team keep a constant eye on the area, making sure kids don’t sneak in and that the games are all on the up-and-up.

Sea-View Japanese Restaurant, Promenade Deck:  The Sea-View Japanese Restaurant is a five-star Japanese restaurant with a bar, sushi bar, and extraordinary view overlooking the bow of the ship through a fully windowed forward wall.  Its well-stocked kitchen allows it to create some truly magnificent entrees – including both traditional Japanese fare and Neo-Modern Japanese/European dishes, featuring some of Europa’s strange but tasty seafood.

Ship Admin, B Deck:  These two rooms contain office and cubicle space for the ship’s administration, including their personnel and payroll departments.

Ship’s Laundry (Locked: Simple Hard), B Deck:  This is the ship’s laundry and dry cleaning facility, where the staff washes all the ship’s linens and any articles submitted by passengers through the ship’s laundry and dry cleaning service.

Skeet Shoot, A Deck:  At the aft end of the Fitness Deck and behind a thick safety wall is the covered skeet shooting area, where passengers can shoot skeet flung out behind the ship.  There are four 20mm sport shotguns available here, each loaded with light birdshot (0L DMG).  Two staff members man the area when it is open, making sure no one fools around when it comes to gun safety.  During off hours, the shotguns and ammo are taken down and stored in the Brig.

Stadium Theater, A Deck:  The ship’s two-story Stadium Theater offers daily showings of the current theater release movies, as well as special midnight showings of older classics.  The two doors to either side of the theater are fire doors and only open from the inside.  A concessions stand in the Theater Lobby offers popcorn and other sweet treats for those so inclined.

Sun Deck, Bridge Deck:  This large spacious deck contains the ship’s swimming pools, a covered outdoor bar, and is filled with a myriad of deckchairs for sunbathing.

U/D:  Located throughout the ship, these are the ship’s stairwells – U: Up from this side; D: Down from this side.

Waiting Room, B Deck:  This is the ship hospital unit’s waiting room.  It is set up like any other of its kind, with a small video screen, multiple rows of chairs, a few end tables, and lot and lots of old magazines.

[BerkaZerka]

Operation A.P.E.

Bounty: 2,500,000w for Arlo Melbourne: Leader of A.P.E.; Plus 400,000w for each confirmable Member of A.P.E.
Wanted For: Terrorist Activities
Bounty Posted By: SSPB

A new Terrorist Group – the Anti-Psychic Evolutionists (or A.P.E) – have begun to make a name for themselves across the System, waging a brutal campaign against what they deem "a spiritual cancer that must be cut from the very heart of society."

Lead by the exceptionally charismatic Arlo Melbourne – recently dismissed Head of Theology from the University of Calvary on Mars – A.P.E. has gained a cult-like following dedicated to the eradication (by any means) of all psychic powers.

According to A.P.E. ideology, all psychic phenomena is a direct manifestation of the Devil’s power, as proved by the corrupting influence (Psychosis) that it has on any who wield it too long. It was radical ideas like this that ultimately lead to Arlo Melbourne’s dismissal from the University, but not before he had gained a substantial following of like-minded zealots.

Up to this point, A.P.E. has already staged a small number of successful assassinations against a few self-professed psychics – their approach being to place a large amount of explosives in a location the psychic is known to frequent, and then to set them off when he (or she) is in proximity. Unfortunately, their methods have also racked up a tremendous amount of collateral damage – which the group simply dismisses as "the cost of waging God’s war."

Additionally, members of A.P.E. have also managed, over the last month, to pull off a number of high profile hackjobs against some of the Solar System’s top financial institutions, putting billions of writ at their disposal.

What nefarious ends will such vast resources allow the group to pursue in their latest scheme?!?

---

You, the crew of the Desperado, are aware of the recent assurgency of the A.P.E. threat (especially given that one of your own is a psychic) and have heard of the standing bounty for Arlo Melbourne and the members of his terrorist organization.

In fact, you are on the pleasure ship Circes, because you have reason to believe that A.P.E. may try to target one of the ship’s passengers during the cruise – Dr. James Benson, Chief Administrator of the European Government’s Psychic Research Program.

While Dr. Benson’s travel is supposed to be Top Secret – and he is traveling undercover with minimal protection – the fact that The Gilbert and Montoya could find out about it means that A.P.E. could also…

The plan then, is to find and tail Dr. Benson (without alerting him that his cover has been blown) and see if the good doctor can draw out any A.P.E. agents. That’s where you come in – nab the A.P.E. agents, save the day, and collect the bounties!

[BerkaZerka]

Nine space fighters streaked toward the black hole – the first to get through would emerge victorious on the other side, while the rest enjoyed front row seats to oblivion!

Montoya piloted the ‘Rogue One’ with black Jolly Rogers adorning the fins; Gilbert was in the ‘Lunch-Wagon’ – an odd hotdog-shaped craft with twin fryalator cannons; Jacob flew the ‘Assassin’s Arrow’ – a sleek black space corvette; Butch piloted the ‘Uber-Kludge’ a hammerhead Mark IV; Crystal was in an unnamed Epsilon-Wing sentry skiff; Ethel commanding ‘Space Ball’ a wood-paneled Winabego with quad-mount chainguns; Cillian’s ship – The Whisper – wasn’t well armed, but had a cloaking device; Moonkit piloted ‘Desperado Mini Me’ a cartoonish mockery of the real thing; and Tubbs flew the ‘Backstreet Thugery’ a model 15 Military bombardment craft.

Mines were deployed as canons, rockets, fryalators, and ship guns opened up and mayhem quickly ensued!

Poor Tubbs flew right into a space mine and was totaled at the outset.

Everyone concentrated fire on Crystal and she barely made it into the event horizon, before vaporizing in a bright flash!

Things got hot with some serious dogfighting – everyone sniping at everyone else (though Moonkit seemed to be more invisible to fire then even Cillian).

Butch suffered the brunt of things, in this exchange, and exploded in flames when he bounced off a mine and took double fryalator blasts up the tailpipe!

Cillian, while stealthing along and making good time, wiped out on an asteroid that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Jacob then took out Ethel, who had sprinted out to the lead!

Moonkit detonated a swarm of mines that locked onto her and was gone in a cascading thunder of multiple explosions!

Jacob took the lead, but was anhialated by Gilbert and Montoya!

The race was then on, as Gilbert and Montoya swooped in toward the center of the black hole! Who would be first to enter?

Gilbert - ramming Montoya into an asteroid – wins the race and disappears into the singularity as the univers explodes!

GAME OVER.

1ST PLACE Gilbert and the Lunch-Wagon!
2ND PLACE Montoya’s Rogue One
3RD PLACE Jacob and Assassin’s Arrow!

---

The crew of the Desperado are in the Arcade (A Deck), having just finished a round of 'Space Annihilation III'. As they remove their VR helmets, a crowd of youngsters clamor around "It’s our turn! It’s our turn! We’re next!"

Everyone is aboard the pleasure ship 'Circes' on the Jovian water-world of Europa, heading out from the port of Capitol City, on what is scheduled to be a two-week cruise.

[BerkaZerka]

"Yay! That was fun!" Moonkit says, clapping.

"You didn't get flattened right out the gate, haha!" Tubbs replies.

[Drakilian]

Crystal grumbles to herself, "Sure yeah, everyone focus on me", then closes her eyes tightly.

Oh she'd been having a terrible week.

It's a hell of a ship, the Circes, as luxurious as can be, and somehow she'd managed to snag one of the best rooms in the entire joint for herself - I swear I need to find out where Montoya and Gilbert get all this money. We spend so much more than we make.

But she hasn't been this afraid about a mission since she fled Titan. These crazy Farking bastards wanted to kill her, and every single person like her. For what? Farking Christ

She clenches a fist, her knuckles snapping as they turn white from her exertions - Then there's him. Why did it have to be him? These guys are Farking loons, but maybe they've got the right idea on him. If anyone ever had to have a devil in them...

She unclenches her fist and opens her eyes, aware of the fact that she might be making a spectacle of herself. That wouldn't do.

If anyone's watching she'll give a tired smile and chuckle out a simple - "Headache. Didn't really sleep well".

[Daedalus]

Jacob laughs. "That was a good game."

Then he notes Crystals 'headache.'

"Well that wont do. You should take care of yourself." He smiled at her.

[Forge]

Montoya leaps out and quickly takes in the scene, this was obviously not going to be an easy mission for their resident psychic so maybe time to flambouyantly distract people from her 'headache' "Ah Crystal, don't take it so badly. It just means everyone thought of you as a credible threat, even I only came second!" he glances around "And at least you didn't fly like Tubbs, remind me never to let him pilot the Dandy".

He poses dramatically "Now where are the pirate themed games on this ship! or are people hungry?"

[Daedalus]

Jacob leaps up after. "Pirate games!" He beams

[killa_robot]

Gilbert eyes the the youngsters then nods knowingly.

"Very well, I shall give you the honour of playing against the reigning champion!" Gilbert says, putting back on the VR helmet before hearing their response.

[BerkaZerka]

The kids push past the rest, to team up against Gilbert and the inevitable slaughter his legendary gaming prowess will no doubt shortly produce.

There will be much crying on the ship tonight!

[Sethaniel]

Cillian waits quietly, ready to go along with whatever the group decides.

[Forge]

"Then let's search the arcade for the pirate games!" Montoya loudly announces.

He starts walking, moving very close to Cillian as he does "Time to start checking for our terrorists if you can, their usual methods would kill everyone in bound this ship." He begins fiddling on his computer while he walks to attempt to find a full passenger and crew manifest.

[Daedalus]

"Yarr, Cap'n" Jacob agrees in a pirate tone.

[Tanstaafl]

"Nerd," Ethel teases the Gilbert, extending her tongue at him. She pauses  a bit after Crystal expresses pain, eventually choosing not to follow it up.

"Dangit Jacob, that's my thing!" Throwing her hands in the air, she follows the rest of the crew to the next videogame, keeping an eye out for Benson meanwhile.

[Not Aman]

"Damn. Real piloting is easier then that." Butch mutters, shaking his head.

"Gonna go look around a bit, yeah? Keep comms on." Butch says heading off [Plans TBD on character sheet]

"Oh and Tubbs; keep moonkit safe yeah? Im trusting you."

[BerkaZerka]

"No problem boss!" Tubbs says, nodding to Butch.

Moonkit meanwhile, follows captain Montoya, with Tubbs hurrying after her.

[BerkaZerka]

The crew then separates for the day, to enjoy the ship’s many fine amenities and various forms of entertainment, while keeping an eye out for Doctor Benson and anything else that might stand out as suspicious.

---

Immediately, Montoya proves to be quite fun on a cruise and, like the pied piper of Hamelin, gathers an entourage of children that follow him around – who (along with their parents) mistake him to be part of the ship’s entertainment programs!

Moonkit and Tubbs have a good time too, following the Captain around as he plays the part – until security steps in to break up the party, after a real Children’s Activity Coordinator spots the group and is like “WTF?!?”

---

At the Coffee shop, Ethel wastes some time trying to research Doctor Benson, but gets nowhere beyond the official Jovian Peoples Confederacy propaganda sites that simply list him as a brilliant pioneer in the field of psychic research.

She then fairs a bit better later, with some skeet shooting, getting off to a rocky start, but later impressing the instructor with her skills enough that he asks her to meet him for dinner in the Sea-View Japanese Restaurant at 8:00pm.

---

Cillian meanwhile, wanders around the ship with Crystal, absentmindedly reading peoples’ auras, as they catch his interest. He doesn’t discover anything really telling, but it is positively amazing how many artificial hips, knee replacements, and pacemakers are aboard the ship.

So many old people…

As this goes on, Crystal spots a small notice posted in the general area of the Event Board on the Promenade Deck.

It reads: "Going Bananas Party for members of the Simian Appreciation Society in The Party Room (A Deck) 12:00am to ???"

---

When Butch heads back to his Cabin to upload his Larceny Program, he hears the most pitiful whimpering coming out from under the bunks.

Looking, he sees that the mournful sounds are coming from Moonkit’s suitcase. Even before he opens it, he knows what he’ll find – as he lifts the lid to find a very upset little monkey packed inside, wrapped in a pillow case.

Once the crew mascot is free, fed, and shown to the toilet, Butch can only shake his head for now and try to carry out his plan to heist a keycard.

He follows a janitor into the bathroom and tries to swipe his keycard, but unfortunately, it doesn’t go very well – though Butch manages to pass it off as an innocent mistake, feigning interest in the man, who replies simply that Butch ‘is not his type’.

Butch then regroups with a good cigar (Freudian slip?) and thinks about what to do next.

---

Heading back to his room after dinner, Montoya has success when trying to get a hold of the passenger and crew manifests. While nothing about the names on the passenger list is very helpful, it does indicate that 22 members of the ‘Red Sharks’ football team are onboard this cruise.

A little harder to get is a list of the ship’s crew, but when Montoya finally hacks his way in, it reveals that six new crewmembers, including the ship’s Loadmaster, Anthony Quinn, where recently hired by the Mariner Cruise Lines and that this is their first cruise with fleet.

Then, as he is leaving his room, Montoya spots Doctor Benson, who is traveling in a light disguise with two males and one female. It is obvious to Montoya (from their demeanor), that the two males traveling with Doctor Benson are undercover SSPB agents. Additionally, the female appears be a Feng-Shui Master, as she has the habit of constantly checking into her large gaudy purse (which appears to hold her Lopan).

The group is just leaving their rooms at the time Montoya spot then – with Doctor Benson and the Feng-Shui Master sharing Jacuzzi Suite 2, while the two SSPB agents are next door in Executive Suite 4.

---

As this goes on, Cillian, having used his Feng-Shui Powers to Summon Doctor Benson, literally runs into his entourage a few moments later, as he and Crystal are getting off an Elevator.

Crystal immediately recognizes Doctor Benson and about-faces to walk away before Doctor Benson and his team can get a look at her – they being distracted by Cillian bumping into them.

Cillian notes that the woman with them is a Feng-Shui Master (and she the same of him). The SSPB Agents look very tense, but the group apologizes to Cillian and moves off warily.

That is when Captain Montoya joins Cillian and Crystal to reveal that he knows which rooms they are staying in.

---

During this time, Jacob and Gilbert find themselves in the ship’s Royal Casino, where they note a number of members of the Red Sharks football team in there playing the games. It’s not long however, before both Jacob and Gilbert are flat broke – each being cleaned out well before ten pm!

While getting up to leave however, they suddenly recognize a bounty head (also leaving the Casino) – though not associated with A.P.E. –Credence Jones; a hacker wanted on Mars for tampering with sensitive business records.

As this goes on, Gilbert checks his computer and notes that the ship’s network is all hardlined. Nothing is there to remotely hack into…

He does however, look up Credence Jones’ bounty on the net – it’s 300,000 writ.

---

Ethel, having come back from a nice dinner with the skeet shooting instructor, meets up with Butch in his cabin to discuss their plan to visit the engine room tonight.

When Butch turns on his diagnostic scanner, it immediately signals an explosive warning – and they haven’t even left the cabin yet!

Following the detector, it shows no explosives in the room, but does indicate something on the other side of the restricted area just down the hallway aft of Butch’s cabin…

[BerkaZerka]

10:00 PM (not combat, but try to keep things coordinated in fifteen minute chunks)

Tubbs and Moonkit are just returning to the Cabins (49 & 51). They run into Butch and Ethel.

Butch and Ethel are in the hall outside Butch’s Cabin (51) when they see Tubbs and Moonkit returning to the room. Moonkit is not aware that Butch knows about the monkey yet.

Gilbert and Jacob are both outside the Royal Casino, starboard side, following Credence Jones who is walking aft, towards the stairs that lead up to the Sun Deck.

Montoya, Crystal, and Cillian, are in the landing near the elevators between Jacuzzi Suite 11 and Jacuzzi Suite 12.

Doctor Benson and his bodyguards are going down the stairs that lead to the Event Board below.

[Forge]

Montoya quickly appraises the crew of his findings via comms "We have Dr. Bentsen in Jaccuzi suite 2 with a female Feng-Shui master and two SSPB guards next door. Also the red sharks are on board. Oh and we are looking at 6 new crew members recently hired including Load Master Anthony Quinn, we should concentrate on him as the best lead unless anyone else found anything." He looks around and stage whispers "Crystal, Cyllian and I will be commencing 'operation b u g'" (he spells out but as if that would help throw off a listener)

He indicates the Dr.s door to Crystal and Cillian and runs to get his bugs for planting in his suite "This was we can make sure nothing happens when we aren't here" he says, honestly believing that bugging the man might help protect him.

[Not Aman]

"Found explosives off in the restricted area already. Planning on taking Ethel with me and disabling them." Butch responds, before looking at Moonkit.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" He asks, frowning.

[Sethaniel]

"um. . . Are you. . . hiding from him?" Cillian quietly asks Crystal.

[killa_robot]

Gilbert turns to Jacob after eyeing Jones.

"Look Jacob... More gambling money. Think someone on the ship will give us at least part of the bounty for him?"

[Drakilian]

Crystal's hand twitches back to her side, where it had rested very tightly on her hidden gun at the sight of the "good" doctor.

"Yes..."

[Sethaniel]

Crystal's hand twitches back to her side, where it had rested very tightly on her hidden gun at the sight of the "good" doctor.

"Yes..."

Cillian thinks about this for few seconds.

". . . I thought the people who hated psychics hated him? Why do you hate him too?"

[BerkaZerka]

... before looking at Moonkit.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" He asks, frowning.

Moonkit gets a blank look on her face and asks, "Huh?"

She then hears the monkey hopping up and down on the other side of the closed door.

"Umm..." she replies sheepishly with a weak grin, "I wonder how He got in there?"

Tubbs meanwhile, leans in to listen at the door and cracks up.

"No you didn't girl!" he laughs out loud and gives her a high five.

[Daedalus]

Gilbert turns to Jacob after eyeing Jones.

"Look Jacob... More gambling money. Think someone on the ship will give us at least part of the bounty for him?"

"exactly my thoughts!" Jacob smiles. "Should we tell the others or just go for him?" He looks thoughtful. "We could ask the sspb guarding Doctor Bensen." He shrugs.

[Drakilian]

Cillian thinks about this for few seconds.

". . . I thought the people who hated psychics hated him? Why do you hate him too?"

Crystal avoids the question for a second, reaching up to her coms.

"Hey Butch, Montoya, saw an add for a simian enthusiast party. Think you'd like to take Moonkit later Montoya?"

Then, quietly, hushed under her breath, "that man deserves everything the APE could do to him..."

[Not Aman]

Moonkit gets a blank look on her face and asks, "Huh?"

She then hears the monkey hopping up and down on the other side of the closed door.

"Umm..." she replies sheepishly with a weak grin, "I wonder how He got in there?"

Tubbs meanwhile, leans in to listen at the door and cracks up.

"No you didn't girl!" he laughs out loud and gives her a high five.

Butch sighs.
"If... Ugh. Tubbs, you arent supposed to encourage her." Butch plainly says. "Ill have to think of a proper punishment. Maybe get Crystal to babysit you or something equally cruel..."

"Anyways, you two stay here, yeah? Ethel and I got work to do." Butch says.

"So, ethel, I'm thinking a disguise like some of the crew, sneak in, you disable the explosives, everyone's happy, yeah?" Butch says, pulling out his disguise kit, and getting to work.

[Sethaniel]

Crystal avoids the question for a second, reaching up to her coms.

"Hey Butch, Montoya, saw an add for a simian enthusiast party. Think you'd like to take Moonkit later Montoya?"

Then, quietly, hushed under her breath, "that man deserves everything the APE could do to him..."

"Are you. . . Is it a joke?  Taking Moonkit to the terrorists, I mean?" 

Cillian doesn't think Crystal wants them all to die, but the possibility can't be ruled out. 
And . . . is Dr. Benson a bad guy?  But so are the APEs, right? 

He fiddled with his Lopan absent-mindedly.  (Chart fate) show me what to do, tell me who's right.  Show me what to do, how can I help?

[Tanstaafl]

"Err, right. Sounds like a plan..." Ethel says, not entirely convinced of the plan, but amused by Moonkit and Tubb's bonding friendship.

"I dunno, Butch, but if you really think we can bypass security with just desguises, then I'm game."

[Drakilian]

"Are you. . . Is it a joke?  Taking Moonkit to the terrorists, I mean?" 

Cillian doesn't think Crystal wants them all to die, but the possibility can't be ruled out. 
And . . . is Dr. Benson a bad guy?  But so are the APEs, right? 

He fiddled with his Lopan absent-mindedly.  (Chart fate) show me what to do, tell me who's right.  Show me what to do, how can I help?

"Whu- what do you think simian enthusiasts are, Cillian?"

[Sethaniel]

"Whu- what do you think simian enthusiasts are, Cillian?"

"Aren't they the APEs?"

[Forge]

Montoya arrives back with the bugs "That does sound like a bad excuse for an APE meeting up spot, apes being simians and all" he pauses dramatically "Time for heroics right now though, let's get these bugs in place!" Montoya drags the other two to help him break into the Dr.s room and plant the bugs

[Drakilian]

Finally catching the pun, Crystal closes her eyes and groans.

"That's terrible."

[killa_robot]

"exactly my thoughts!" Jacob smiles. "Should we tell the others or just go for him?" He looks thoughtful. "We could ask the sspb guarding Doctor Bensen." He shrugs.

"Let the others worry about Benson. Follow this guy to his room, then later tonight we grab him. Then, by tomorrow, we should have more money for the casino", Gilbert explains, looking back at the casino longingly.

[Daedalus]

"Nice plan!" He smiles and gives Gilbert both thumbs up. Then he stalks Jones.

[killa_robot]

Meanwhile, Gilbert will return to his room to try and find someone they can bring in the bounty to.

[BerkaZerka]

“Uh, right,” Tubbs replies to Butch. “I’ll see that the monkey stays out of trouble boss! Don’t worry about it.”

“He won’t get in any trouble!” Moonkit protests.

“I was talking about you!” Tubbs replies to the girl.

“Hey!”

“Ooot ooot ooot!” Tubbs teases, making monkey sounds.

Tubbs and Moonkit then head into the cabins for the night.

Butch and Ethel disguise themselves and head over to the restricted door to pick the lock.

Ethel Open Lock 15+2X MTN 10 1d20 : 5, total 5

On the Bridge deck meanwhile, Montoya, Crystal, and Cillian head over to the door of Doctor Benson’s suite, none of them really being proficient enough to pick the lock.

Gilbert heads back to his room while Jacob tails Credence Jones.

Jacob Stealth 14+2X 1d20 : 19, total 19

vs.

Credence Jones Spot 6 1d20 : 2, total 2

In his room, Gilbert looks over Maritime Protocol, and sees that (provided he has a Permit to Hunt Bounty) he can turn a bounty head over to ship’s security to be kept in the brig, until the ship makes port or the SSPB can arrange a pickup.

Gilbert also notes that even with a Firearms Permit, having them onboard is against Maritime Law; and using them will likely bring confiscation and a fine (best case) or even that and a tour of the brig (worst case).

[BerkaZerka]

After fiddling with the lock for an uncomfortably long time, Ethel finally cracks it (Luck Point).

Ethen and Butch slip into the Loading area beyond. Inside they see a small forklift (chained down when the ship is underway), stacks of pallets, and other equipment used to facilitate the movement and storage of heavy objects. A wide cargo elevator can also be found here, used to lower large equipment and parts from the Loading Area to the Machine Shop below.

No one seems to currently be about.

The Diagnostic Scanner indicates the explosives are somewhere in the Aft Storage.

---

As Jacob starts to follow Credence Jones, he is spotted, while Jones is heading up the stairs. Jones bolts and when Jacob runs after, he arrives at the top of the steps to see a deserted Sun Deck (where the hell did he go?!?).

Jacob then hears running from the deck below; and realizes Jones did a parkour manuver over the rails and back down to the Prominade (as Jacob was ascending the stairs)!

By the time Jacob reverses course and goes back down, Credence Jones is gone...

[Not Aman]

"Ugh, shoulda uploaded some search protocols." Butch mutters.

"Ethel, any specific part of the Aft that would be where they should blow it all up?" He asks, as he heads towards the aft and starts looking.

[Forge]

OOC: Dammit, thought he could crack it electronically

Montoya stares at the door a while "So, none of us can pick locks. Anyone who can free to come give us a hand?" Montoya then indicates they should wait a little further down the corridor to look less suspicious.

---

Montoya Spot 9 1d20 : 18, total 18
Crystal Spot 13 1d20 : 20, total 20
Cillian Spot 16 MTN 10* 1d20 : 6, total 6

[BerkaZerka]

As the group moves away from Doctor Benson's suite, Cillian spots someone hastily going into Jaquizi Suite 1 (directly across from Doctor Benson's Jaquizi Suite 2).

While Cillian has no idea who it is, he does note that the man looks quite 'distressed' over something. Of course the man doesn't stop to acknowledge Cillian looking at him as he heads in and locks the door behind him...