Travel

“Captain On Deck” – Space Tramp – Chapter 15

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day!

Story:

Jeremiah Kilwood looked at his new uniform in the mirror. He had purchased it with part of his bonus money but a good chunk had gone into investments. It has been a good year and a surprising one as well.  Countess Borgosman had hired him to be the captain of her newly purchased Suibstidized merchant and it had been an interesting year of speculative trading on planets where her holdings were.

It had taken him by surprise when she called a couple days after his promotion celebrations and it was a welcome one that he was going to find a position so easily.  The speculative route was hopefully going to take the resources of the Countess’s holdings and fiefs and make them a little more profitable by trading on the open market with them  Jeremiah was tasked with examining these resources and finding the best interstellar trade routes from a profitability standpoint.

This last year had been him doing just that and it was a fairly safe operation.  The beauty also was finding a crew was not necessary as the countess handled that part.  All Jeremiah had to do was run the ship and engage in the trades personally.  The Countess stayed on Regina and he took the stars. The subsidized merchant The Borgosman Lady was clean and smelled new.

It was a good first command in many respects in that the crew was skilled and respectful despite his youth as Captain.  He learned much fo the command responsibilities were more a matter of routine than any major leadership decisions. His main decisions were trade-oriented while at the same time keeping the passengers list full as well.  He then made sure each crewman did what they were supposed to do. He rarely had a problem.

In the end, he created about five major trade routes between the countess’ holdings and other systems.  It was quite profitable and the whole crew and himself were treated to a solid bonus. The countess thanked him and then told him that she had others taking over the routes and she might have another assignment for him next year but he would have to wait and see. So he gathered his belonging into his bag and threw it over his shoulder and headed to The Naked Gypsy.

He had a few drinks and headed upstairs and found a girl that had horizontal skills and as it turned out a sense fo fashion as she told him a captain should probably have a nicer uniform.  So after they had sex she helped him find something simple but more high-end than before.  It was nice and comfortable as well.,  The five pips on his shoulders in a circle was a nice touch. He liked it and it looked smart.  The girl was right, he looked much better, like a leader.

He looked back at the girl sleeping.  She was naked and lying face up so he was getting a good look at her assets.  He smiled and took the uniform back off and slipped in the bed next to her.  One more time before he headed out. After all, things rarely stay the same so it’s important to enjoy the moments.

Megatraveler Notes:

Start:

Free Trader Captain Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O5 – Captain   Terms Served: 3

UPP: A67A84   Age: 31  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Trader-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 7, Bonus Money: 52,500 Cr.

Year Fourteen:

Roll for position availability: 9  + 1 for Intelligence = 10 – position available, serves as Captain.

Roll for assignment: 9 + 1 for Social 5- = 10 –   Speculative TradeeAssignment

Survival Roll: 11  – Survives easily.

Skill Roll: 7 – Skill acquired.

Bonus:  8 –  Bonus. Rolls – 5 – 10,000Cr

Roll for Skills: (1 for skill roll) – Rolls on Free Trader Service Table: 2  – Trader-2

Year-End:

Free Trader Captain Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O5 – Captain   Terms Served: 3

UPP: A67A84   Age: 32  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Trader-2, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 7, Bonus Money: 62,500 Cr.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Captain Kilwood” – Space Tramp – Chapter 14

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day!

Story:

Jeremiah stared at the five pips on his shoulders in the mirror and felt a surge of pride.  He had done it, achieved Captain rank at the earliest possible time one could at age 31.  The exam had not posed any problems and he was given an oral review by several captains. When all was said and done, he was lead to a ceremony where he was presented with his Captian pips and congratulated by the Captains who reviewed him.  He was still trying to take it all in.

This last year had been a simple route assignment, but the captain, one Nathan Briggs, of the far trader The Jasmine Hopper was determined to give his 1st Officer Jeremiah Kilwood a full experience by not only placing him on the bridge to be his Pilot and Navigator, but he also handled all duties involving cargo (buying and selling it) and securing passengers for each voyage.  This brought him into contact with a lot of various types of people, administration and those trying to move their cargo.  He was Captain in many respects in all but name this last year.

He learned a lot about the business wend of running a starship and it was a good route assignment but not as profitable as he had hoped so No bonus. But he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. He kept the staterooms and low berth cold sleep beds full.  They always had cargo.  he navigated the customs agents like he navigated the stars and his experience with dock workers helped with the cargo issues.

Jeremiah had made a couple decisions as well. Firstly, he decided to forgo starting to take anagathic drugs to slow down the aging process.  The expense would cut into his ability to get a Starship and he figured he was still in great shape and could start taking them later if he wished. The second decision was to commit himself to full retirement which would provide a pension if he served a couple more terms.

Right now though the moment was overwhelming as he stepped out of the Free Trader Guild Headquarters and headed for The Naked Gypsy.  He had done it – made captain and now Captain Jeremiah Kilwood wanted to celebrate.  When he arrived at the Gypsy he recognized a whole lot of old comrades from various ships and sure enough, there was a party planned in his honor.

Drinks flowed and he had a hard time drinking so much so he sometimes poured it aside into a plant or another person’s drink when they were not looking.  Even so, he still was not exactly clear-headed halfway through the night.

Captain Juros had come in form her retirement home in the country and hugged him properly and said she was so proud of him.  When he checked his messages, there were several congratulating him from old shipmates as well as the Countess who was on Regina at the time and saw the announcement.  She apparently still kept tabs on him.

Eventually, the evening wore on to the point people went home and he found himself ready for his annual ritual of heading to the brothel.  He found however that he didn’t have to pay as madam Anabelle took him by the hand and lead him to her room for the evening – on the house.

He woke the next morning with her naked body still entwined with his.  His thoughts turned quickly to his finding a starship owner who needed a captain.  This would be his new life now and it filled him with a little fear and excitement.  Being in charge of a starship himself for the very first time.  From a promotion standpoint, there was only one left, and that was becoming Senior Captain and he wouldn’t be eligible for that until next term. For now, he kissed Anabelle ever so gently and began running his hands along her back, he was still young enough for a second round this morning.

Megatraveler Notes:

Start:

Free Trader 1st Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O4 – 1st Officer   Terms Served: 3

UPP: A67A84   Age: 30  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 6, Bonus Money: 52,500 Cr.

Year Thirteen:

Roll for position availability:  7 + 1 for Intelligence = 8 – position available, serves as 1st Officer

Roll for assignment: 6 + 1 for Social 5- = 7 –   Route Assignment

Survival Roll:  5 – Survives.

Skill Roll: 7 – Skill acquired.

Roll for Promotion: 9 – promoted to Captain.

Bonus:  5 –  No Bonus.

Roll for Skills: (2 for skill roll and promotion) – Rolls on Officer Skills: 6 – Liason-2, Rolls Free Trader Service: 4 – Economic Cascade: picks Trader-1

1 Brownie Point for promotion:

Year-End

Free Trader Captain Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O5 – Captain   Terms Served: 3

UPP: A67A84   Age: 31  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Trader-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 6, Bonus Money: 52,500 Cr.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Rebel Self” – A Skald’s Life – Self Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day. 

Journal Entry:

Here at the end of the week of consideration of my bucket list items, I have to note that this part fo the list is very much more of my rebel side.  This is despite the fact that the virtues involved are Discipline, Perseverance, and Loyalty.  The issue is that part of the fruit of all these is freedom.

The rebellious act on my bucket list plainly states this and the tattoo is more of a subtle issue, but not overly so. The discovery of origins and visiting those countries just fits the wanderer that is The Grey Wayfarer.

Discipline:

“Discipline is the willingness to be hard on oneself first and then if needed help with the development with others, so that greater purposes may be achieved.”

Principle: Apply discipline to every aspect of life that it can be applied.

Goal: To be following a full Paleo Diet by March 31, 2020.

Bucket List: Do a rebellious act on April 30th, 2020 – Beltane.

My main goal is that next year I will be celebrating Beltane in my own way. My life of discipline giving way to a less disciplined moment in time where I do something purely for me that is not a ‘so-called’ socially acceptable thing to do.  A rebellious action against society but something that makes me happy.

Perseverance:

“Perseverance is the ability to stand up and return from defeat and failure”

Principle: Keep getting up after every defeat or failure.

Goal: To engage in an exercise program that involves weightlifting, hiking/walking, and stretching/ yoga an average of three days a week from April 1st, 2019 to March 31st, 2020

Bucket List: To get at least one tattoo by March 18th, 2020.

The tattoo will probably also accomplish one of my five remaining goals before the end of March. Either my first check of a new job will help me do this or I will be using part of my tax return to do it. Either way, the rebel within will be expressed on my skin.

Fidelity:

“Fidelity is the will to be loyal to one’s Gods and Goddesses, to one’s Folk, to one’s self, and loyalty to one’s friends was as valued as highly as loyalty to one’s family.”

Principle: Be loyal to those who have been loyal to me.

Goal: Celebrate my wife and I’s 30th anniversary (June 10th, 2019) with a mini-vacation (achieved)

Bucket List: Discover all the countries of origin from my genetics and visit them all by March 18th, 2029.

This probably the most long term goal I have on my bucket list.  It reflects finding roots and getting truly acquainted with my past. I wouldn’t be surprised if I found a few rebels in it.

Higher Virtue – Wisdom:

Being wise in all this, counters the rebellion.  Is there such a thing as a wise rebel.  I think there is when you pick and choose what to be rebellious with and how to do it.  Giving a middle finger to the back of life instead of the front so to speak.  Others may see you, but not the ones that can make your life difficult.  In this case, there is a wisdom to embracing my rebel self as it keeps the boiler of life from exploding with a safety valve.

Rest Day Routine: 

  1. Morning Routine
  2. Wife: Communication / Cuddle Time
  3. Blogging – Organize, revise, write a new post for the next day, 15 min. work on fiction.
  4. Cleaning – varies but one room of the apartment at least.
  5. Reading – 1/7th of a book
  6. Writing – 3000 Words

Solid.

Goals and Bucket List Items Achieved (Since Summer 2018):

Goals Achieved: 5

  1. Graduated College with a BS in Political Science and minors in Economics and International Business – December 2018
  2. Finalize last requirements for my degree – Internship by May 2019 – May 2019
  3. Celebrate my wife and I’s 30th anniversary (June 10th, 2019) with a mini-vacation – June 2019
  4. Maintain a daily blog streak of one post per day for an entire year (365 days).
  5. By March 31st of 2020, to be the leader/participant in a group of some kind.

Bucket List Items Achieved: 0

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Countess Redux” – Space Tramp – Chapter 13 (Megatraveller Fan Ficiton)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day!

Story:

As Jeremiah crossed the threshold of The Naked Gypsy, he smiled as this last year had been quite profitable. His 25000Cr bonus now deposited in his savings was welcome and this last year had been a peaceful mission running charter for, of all surprises, Countess Borgosman for a second year. Captain Kingwood had called him the next morning after his last contract had expired with her and asked him to sign on as pilot/navigator again.  He hesitated but then the Captain told him that the countess had guaranteed 10x the bonus this time.  He said yes without hesitation.

The Countess was pretty much looking at more of her holdings and doing inspections on a few other worlds.  She liked the ship and the crew and wanted to keep them on. She was willing to do a larger bonus to keep them.

Jeremiah, however, found one change was present.  For some strange reason, the Countess took an interest in him professionally. She said she had watched him the last year and noticed that from his speech and knowledge he was a practical man but lacked some education.  She wanted to change that and offered to tutor him herself on some things.

Jeremiah hesitated but then agreed not wanting to spoil the contract for Jill the Engineer or the Captain.  The weird part was the Countess was probably four years younger than him but he could not deny she knew a lot of things he didn’t.  She started him reading literature, writing, politics, and history.  He was reading a lot of different things on a lot of different subjects. When he relayed what was going on to the Captain she smiled.

“Sounds like she is taking you through the first year of university education.”

Indeed that is what she was doing.  It was a lot of general education and for a year they spent at least an hour a day together and he got to know her very well. He also got past the hard and critical exterior to see a young woman who was doing the best she could while taking on a responsibility that she thought would not be hers for a long time. He came to respect her despite her criticism at times because he began to see it for what it really was – she cared about people. Even him the orphan boy from Strouden.

In her own way, she came to respect him too.  She even said that it was a remarkable achievement that a young man born in that social condition had achieved as much as he had.  She hoped he would take what she was trying to teach him and continue to be successful.

Their relationship was professional and was kept that way by the countess’ sense of duty and his sense of not wanting to spoil a contract. On the last day when they said their goodbyes, he thanked her and wished her well.  She smiled and then kissed him on the cheek.

“If you need a favor sometime, just let me know,”, she said.

He nodded and watched her leave.  Then helped Jill and the Captian secure the ship, said his goodbyes to them and walked down the ramp and off to the Gypsy.  The promised bonus was there with a little note from the countess with her special number and the words: “If you need me, call.”

Jeremiah had finished his third term in the Free Traders.  He signed his reenlistment papers for his fourth term with no problems.  He had recently turned 30 and no longer felt like a rookie. He was now eligible for the one thing he had been aiming for – Being a Free Trader Captain.  This next term was the one he had been waiting for.

For now, though he settled into the ritual of seeing if there was someone he knew to have a drink or two with at the bar and at the end of the night head to the brothel and engage the services of a woman who would remind him he was a man in other ways. He wouldn’t even be surprised if she looked like the countess.

Megatraveler Notes:

Start:

Free Trader 1st Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O4 – 1st Officer   Terms Served: 2

UPP: A67A74   Age: 29  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 5, Bonus Money: 27500 Cr.

Year Twelve:

Roll for position availability:  7 + 1 for Intelligence = 8 – position available, serves as 1st Officer

Roll for assignment: 8 + 1 for Social 5- = 9 –   Charter Assignment

Survival Roll:  11 – Survives easily.

Skill Roll: 10 – Skill acquired.

Bonus: 10  –  Bonus: roll: 6 – 25000Cr.

Roll for Skills: (1 for skill roll) – Rolls Free trader Life Table rolls: 4 Mental Cascade – picks +1 Education

Roll For Reenlistment: 9 – reenlists

1 Brownie Point for term served.

Year-End

Free Trader 1st Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O4 – 1st Officer   Terms Served: 3

UPP: A67A84   Age: 30  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 6, Bonus Money: 52,500 Cr.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Milestones” – A Skald’s Life – Foundational Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Tyr’s Day

Journal Entry:

A family member once remarked to me that my goals and bucket list items were good but seemed unrealistic at times or might be hard to achieve.  I told them that is kind of the point.  For me Goals, whether the regular yearly ones or the ones on my bucket list are milestones on the journey. Markers of progress.  The goals are about getting somewhere even if that somewhere is gone to simple for enjoyment’s sake.

My bucket list items are just that – the enjoyment of life milestones.  They are the subject this week of review and one that I enjoy every time in doing because they are the ones that cause me to dream the biggest.  The point of a bucket list is to keep you living life and if done right has things crossed off it regularly.  Also though there should be things on it when you die.  The most damning thing in my mind for a human being is not to have his eye on the horizon toward the next mile marker even when you’re dying.

You can milestones or gravestones – the choice is yours.

Honor:

“Honor is the feeling of inner value and worth from which one knows that one is noble of being, and the desire to show respect for this quality when it is found in the world”

Principle – To possess a feeling of inner value about myself and my future with a desire to find the same in others.

Goal: Maintain a daily blog streak of one post per day for an entire year (365 days).  (achieved)

Bucket List: Hike the Northern Lakeshore Trail along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by March 2024.

I want hiking to be more of a regular hobby of sorts.  I need out more and even if alone hiking offers me that thinking solace that I enjoy, but also the fresh air and exercise do wonder to my mood.  My bucket list item here is about my first long camping hike.  After that who knows.  Hiking the AP, PCT, and CDT in retirement?  Maybe.

Courage:

“Courage is the bravery to do what is right always.”

Principle – Act with Courage at the right time.

Goal: Cross one thing off bucket list every year. Deadline March 31st.

Bucket List: Go Back to Budapest, Hungary for a vacation by March 2029.

My first and last time in Budapest was so fast and I enjoyed it but I want to go back as a travel goal.  Part of a longer trip to discover my origins, maybe that river cruise capstone of that experience.

Truth:

“Truth is the willingness, to be honest, and to say what one knows to be true and right. It is often better to not say anything at all if one cannot be honest.”

Principle – To Be Honest, and Speak Truth to Myself and Others.  To Be Silent in the presence of Fools.

Goal: To Write a Non-Fiction Book by March 31st, 2020

Bucket List: Read 52 books (one per week) in the year 2020.

This a new one where I can say to people I read a book a week for a year but also a desire that this is a habit I get into as well.  I want to learn something right up to the day of my death.

Higher Virtue: Love:

I am looking at this part of my bucket list and realizing that persuing these three items is some of the most loving things I could do for myself. The journey to these three items is really about me getting something I would love to do. All of them are expressions of who I want to be and what I want to see in my life.

Morning Routine:

  1. Stretching / Yoga
  2. Shower, Personal Hygiene, Breakfast, Morning Meds.
  3. Review Nine Noble Virtues (NNV), Principles, Goals and Bucket List
  4. Meditation – 5 min.
  5. Check Communications and Email.
  6. Paper Journal: Create a Daily Log and To-Do List.
  7. Get Dressed for the Day

I need to get the mechanics for this routine down and some stuff for meditation purposes.  I do like how this works now.

I remain.

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Njord – God of Sea and Wind” (Asatru – Part 18) – The Pagan Pulpit

/ Ed Raby Sr / 1 Comment

Happy Sol’s Day!

Announcements:

We don’t pray here – we figure God, the gods, goddesses, or whatever powers that be either know already, don’t give a fuck, or are busy with more important matters than our petty stuff. We also kind of assume that they expect us to do stuff that we can do for ourselves and that we will do them ourselves and not be lazy. We also believe in being good friends, so we don’t presume on our friendship with the powers that be by asking them all the time for stuff while giving them nothing in return.

We also don’t take an offering here.  We figure the powers that be probably don’t need it.  Let’s be honest, offerings are not given to the divine powers, they are given to an organization to support it.  Just being honest. God, the gods or whatever never sees a dime, farthing or peso of that money; it all goes to the church, mosque or shrine.

Theme Song: Eivør Pálsdóttir: ‘Tròdlabùndin’

This live performance of this song is done in a fjord which is fitting given the god of the sea who was married to the goddess of the mountains – Skadi.  Although they never really consummated their marriage.

Mediation:

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This is still one of my favorite poems

Text: 

See the source image

If you want more details about Asatru, I can’t recommend this book enough.

Sermon:

As one would expect, the naval culture of the Vikings would have a god of the sea.  Njord – god of wind, fire and the sea seems to be laking is stories but I imagine not in veneration in the old days of the Vikings.  He is also one of Vanir hostages like Freya and Freyr who are his children.  He was invoked probably regularly for fair weather and a fair journey and success every time the Vikings took to the sea for any reason.

The Geneology of the gods gets confusing sometimes but Njord’s first wife is either unnamed or Nerthus but she is only named in passing by a roman writer in the first century and doesn’t have any other source.  We do know he did marry later Skadi from her choosing him by looking at his feet.  The marriage was never happy or consummated however as the two are very different.

There really is a lack of worship in modern times of Njord.  Probably due to ot the fact that far fewer people are people of the sea.  Asatru gives him veneration but it seems almost casual even with our source Paxton.  He is one of the gods, but his story is limited.

Of course, from a religious point of view, gods and goddesses tend to be popular when people live in their sphere of influence.  Perhaps today you might see a pilot of a plane invoke Njord being the god of wind as well, but the sea-going sailors and raiders of old are long gone. There is really less reason to invoke him now. Unless you view him as a god of traveling in any other medium but land. Not a bad god, just not invoked as much because of the change in the world.

For me, Njord’s story is also light.  The fact he was the guy with the most beautiful feet in Asgard says something and is reflected in his children as they are both considered young and beautiful.  The marital problems are not anger based but the product of being two different people which I find interesting.  Neither one could really get along in each other’s home so they part purely on practical grounds and remain good friends. A lesson that does spin around in my brain.  Sometimes a match isn’t a good one and just needs to be recognized as such.  Being a wayfarer myself, I would have little need myself to invoke him as I prefer my feet on solid ground.

At this point, I am leaving my consideration of the gods and goddesses in my continued learning about Asatru.  There are many more I could do, but they are minor.  I am now going to shift this series to Asatru practice and spiritual understanding.

Parting Thought:

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I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Countess” – Space Tramp – Chapter 12 (Megatraveller Fan Ficiton)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Sif’s Day!

Story:

As Jeremiah looked at his bonus amount on his personal device, he laughed a little.  He got his wish but it was not as much as he hoped, but it was something.  He realized the big bonus was rare but this was not much more than his normal pay.  He considered it poetic though as this last year’s charter assignment had been one long one of being diplomatic and kind to someone who was at best melancholy.

The captain of the Trilian-Moons Maiden, a well kept and polished Free Trader, was competent to be sure.  She was uniquely suited to dealing with this charter assignment. She needed a pilot/navigator and she was pleased with Jeremiah right away because of his skills. But Captain Sarah Kingwood was very much instructing him on etiquette and protocol of the social variety. The entire trip this was the case and she made that clear, in multiple ways, because their charter client was Countess Borgosman.

Countess Borgosman had chartered the ship because the nature of this trip was to be more behind the scenes and she was not announcing her coming to the various places she was visiting hoping to surprise the stewards fo the various fiefs of her property she was visiting for inspections.  She always was suspicious of everyone and had a condescending opinion of everyone’s competence level.  The promise of a bonus and this being a charter trip made Jeremiah willing to put up with even a Countess snob if it meant more money.  Besides he would be either in his room or at the control most of the time. However, the countess insisted on a formal dinner every night with all crew members present.

The upside for the captain was that meant she only needed a crew of three – just her, Jeremiah and the Engineer Jill Forest, a young but very technically savvy woman.  The Steward and Doctor for the trip would be provided by the Countess. The captain provided a more standard uniform for this occasion that matched her own to Jeremiah and Jill.  I few days before the countesses arrival, they had lessons from both the Captain and the countesses’ steward for the trip on all the appropriate customs.

Jeremiah did manage to utilize some of his Streetwise and Carousing skills as far as dealing with people in learning all this.  When the countess arrived he knew how to act and address her as well as eat at the table properly. He wore the uniform with his firs officer pips on the shoulders. It was a little stiff but he managed. He only had to wear it at the dinner and the rest of the time was just keeping his work uniform clean as possible which he always did.

When the countess arrived he was a little puzzled because she was younger than expected.  It was later revealed she had inherited her father’s title and land after his death a couple years ago.  She was tall and thin having actually grown up on a much lighter gravity world.  Her brown hair was plain and so was her face.  But she was also looking a little sad at times.

The trip was actually very uneventful.  His contact with the countess was usually always only at dinner. The first dinner he seemed to avoid her attention but he noticed she dressed in her dinner dress and wore the jewels and makeup of noble well and held her head high.

It was the second night that she turned her attention to him.  She asked a lot of questions about his background and some of the trips he had piloted for and navigated.  She almost seemed amused when he told her the stories fo his growing up on Strouden.  She seemed very interested in his background and how he became a Free Trader. But other than this her conversations were mostly with the captain after that.  Her only social interaction with him as official like a tone from a bureaucrat.

The next many months went by and the trip settled into a dull routine other than Jeremiah was paying a high degree of attention to the human interactions at dinner.  Learning finer points of being polite and looking well mannered.  Learning to handle different people of different social classes was definitely something he felt he could put to use as a captain.  Despite her nature, the countess was always polite although her questions always assumed that the person she was talking to might not know something as well they thought. Jeremiah, however, seemed to escape this attention. He settled into being on the bridge for his shifts, sleeping, dinners, and reading.  There was not much else to do.

When they landed on Regina a year later, Jeremiah felt well versed in the basics of social customs of the upper classes and nobility. The real problem though was, as he walked down the ramp of the ship for the last time, he realized while this was nice to know; he preferred the real world grit of real people.  Being a liaison to the upper class was a good skill but he hadn’t had fun for a whole year practically and was eager for a stiff drink and some female companionship of a more intimate and preferably sensual variety.

But he shook his head at the bonus of 2500 Cr for the trip.   It was something to be sure but he was fairly sure that was a lot less than the captain was expecting.  He smiled and walked into The Naked Gypsy and breathed in the air.  Yep, the smell of booze, sex, and fun. Felt more like ‘home’ than the last year.  Next year he would be completing the last year of his third term and turning thirty.  It seemed so long ago that he stepped on to the deck of his first starship.  Right now, fun awaited as well as a more lucrative future – he hoped.

Megatraveler Notes:

Start:

Free Trader 1st Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O4 – 1st Officer   Terms Served: 2

UPP: A67A74   Age: 28  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 5, Bonus Money: 25000 Cr.

Year Eleven:

Roll for position availability:  8 + 1 for Intelligence = 9 – position available, serves as 1st Officer

Roll for assignment: 8 + 1 for Social 5- = 9 –   Charter Assignment

Survival Roll: 5  – Survives.

Skill Roll: 9 – Skill acquired.

Bonus: 10  –  Bonus. rolls 2 – 2500Cr

Roll for Skills: (1 for skill roll) – Rolls Free Trader Service Table rolls: 1 – Interpersonal Cascade  – picks Liaison -1

Year-End

Free Trader 1st Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O4 – 1st Officer   Terms Served: 2

UPP: A67A74   Age: 29  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 5, Bonus Money: 27500 Cr.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Security” – Space Tramp – Chapter 9 (MegaTraveller Fan Fiction)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Tyr’s Day

Story:

Jeremiah was laying in bed staring at the ceiling.  Next to him laying naked on her belly was 3rd Officer Kate Stuvak.  A woman who he had met and shared a night of passion with four years ago before she shipped out the next day.  For the last year though they had been shipmates and lovers.  But right now they were on Regina in the hotel next to The Naked Gypsy, ironically in the same room in which they had made love four years ago.  He glanced over to her, even laying on her side, her figure was sensual.  He had come to know it well this past year.

A year ago, Jeremiah had been determined to get a position that reflected his experience and as luck would have it a captain was drawn to him and his latest escapade.  The issue was security as Captain Ping was looking for people that could handle themselves in a fight and Jeremiah with his last mission fit the bill.  Captain Ping was a short man of Zhodani decent but was born without psionic powers. His ship The Efate Starmaid was scheduled for a route going from Regina to Efate and back again. He had an engineer and a steward.  He needed a medic and pilot. Jeremiah became the pilot and navigator.

Jeremiah stowed his gear the next day and met the engineer and steward. Both first-class spacers who also had some form of martial talent.  Both were married to each other with twelve years of experience each. Mr. and Mrs. Angelos were both very good at what they did and had been with Captain Ping for a couple years. Fine couple and they were sharing a stateroom which meant Captian Ping could take on another passenger.

One day before they shoved off, Captian Ping located a Medic. This was needed because of the Starmaid possessing eight cold berths for travel and in this case, a particularly long cold sleep would be required as part of their trip would be through a series of E class starports (read bedrock landing place and nothing else) requiring them to refuel at gas giants.  Those passengers would be about four months in cold sleep. This was also the reason he was looking for crew who could fight – pirates loved such places.

When Jeremiah saw Kate striding up next to Captain Ping, he smiled at her and she smiled a very knowing and naughty smile back.  She leaned over and said something in Captain Ping’s ear and then he looked at both of them and shook his head but smiled happily. Jeremiah walked over to Kate.

“What did you say to the captain?”

“I told him he wouldn’t need to be showing me my stateroom because I would be sharing with you.”

Jeremiah led her to his room and it became their room.  It meant only three of the staterooms had crewmen, so that meant five for passengers. While he helped unpack her knapsack, she brought him up to date.

Kate had made the return journey hopping Free Traders and working her way back to Regina. She had made it to the edge of the Corridor Sector and decided to head back. She had passed her 3rd Officer exam last year and had been getting medical training for the last couple of years.  No steady boyfriends, she was a spacer after all.

“How’s the wound?”, she asked.

“Ok, just a scar now.”

‘Well, I have one of my own”

She turned around a dropped her pants and underwear. Sure enough, there was a long scar on her left buttock at least ten centimeters long.

“Firefight with some pirates in the Corridor sector.  Vargr crossing the border and raiding.  I had my ass up too high and one of them shot me.  That’s why I turned around.”

Jeremiah licked his lips, he had forgotten how sensual she was.  She laughed, then dropped her pants and underwear around her ankles as she stood up straight.  She stepped out of them kicking off her shoes at the same time.  She turned around and pulled her shirt up over her head revealing those wonderful breasts of hers he remembered so well.  She smiled and spoke.

“We have a couple hours.  Why don’t you lock the door?”

Two hours later they were flushed, happier and listening to Captain Ping.

Ping was an Imperial Navy Commander (retired).  He had somehow come into possession of the Starmaid, and he was a firm and fair captain. Being former navy he was prepared for combat and that was wise given the long stretch of gas giant refills.  He insisted they all learn how to handle a handgun and/or turret weapons.  Jeremiah had basic skills but Ping had him being a fair pistol marksman by the end of the trip.  In the event of combat, Ping would take the pilot seat and Jeremiah would handle the turret weapons and sensors.  Mr. Angleos would handle engineering and repairs as necessary.  Kate and Mrs. Angelos would keep the passengers calm and safe.

In than it was a lot of preparation but for naught as nothing happened and they arrived in Efate and then returned back to Regina. The trip was more profitable than expected but the expenses piled up more than expected too.  No bonus, but Kate and Jeremiah got a letter of recommendation from Captian Ping for their great work. Unfortunately, the Starmaid was going to be in port for some maintenance and upgrades. Otherwise, he would have signed them both back on.

Kate and Jeremiah had gotten along quite well and it was enjoyable to ‘come home’ each night to some company. It was sort of like playing being married but as she would joke – with far more sex than a married couple. It was just that Kate’s main ambition was to use the Free Traders to be a doctor. Jeremiah knew that would eventually lead her to settle down.  Something he knew he would probably never do.  They both needed to find a new position and it was a safe bet that finding the same ship both of them could get a job on was slim.

He looked at her.  He was rather fond of her, but he was a spacer.  He cuddled up to her and woke her in a way he had done many times so that she was eventually moaning in his ear. It was the first time in a while he had not been in the brothel at The Naked Gypsy to start a new year.  He hoped Kate brought him better luck than the prostitutes usually gave him.

The next morning Jeremiah walked into the Free Trader offices and reenlisted.  No problems and he smiled with his papers now updated.  Next year he could try for 1st Officer and that meant some real money.  He had already started putting away a lot of money.  He still wanted his own ship and that was a lot of MegaCredits.  He headed back to the hotel to find Kate was gone.  He pulled up his personal device and she had left a text that she had found a ship and was shoving off in a few minutes. She thanked him for an enjoyable year and that she hoped they would bunk again sometime. She wished him the best of luck.

Jeremiah was sad she was gone but relieved that the long tearful goodbye he was expecting didn’t happen.  He sat on the empty bed and called up the job roster for the Free Traders.  The best way to move on was to find work.

Megatraveler Notes:

Start:

Free Trader 2rd Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O3 – 2nd Officer   Terms Served: 1

UPP: A67A74   Age: 25  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 1, Navigation – 1, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Handgun – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 3, Bonus Money: 25000 Cr.

Year Eight:

Roll for position availability: 9 + 1 for Intelligence = 10  – position available, serves as 2nd Officer

Roll for assignment: 4 + 1 for Social 5- = 5 – Route Assignment

Survival Roll:  8 – Survives.

Skill Roll: 11  – Skill acquired.

Bonus: 9  – No Bonus

Roll for Skills: ( 1 for skill roll): Rolls Officer Skills table: 4 – Gun Combat Cascade – pick Handgun – 1

Roll for Reenlistment: 8 -reenlists

1 Brownie Point earned for the term completed.

Year-End

Free Trader 2rd Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O3 – 2nd Officer   Terms Served: 2

UPP: A67A74   Age: 26  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 1, Navigation – 1, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 4, Bonus Money: 25000 Cr.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Zero-G” – Space Tramp – Chapter 8 (MegaTraveller Fan Fiction)

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Tyr’s Day

Story:

As Jeremiah sat down in the barstool of The Naked Gypsy, he remarked how lucky he was to even be there. This past year had brought him closer to death than any other and he was sure if it hadn’t been for some legal wrangling and calling in a favor from Captain Junos he would probably be in prison right now.

That’s what happens he was thinking when you sign aboard a ship simply to get off-world when nothing else is available.  Looking back at t though things seemed legit when he met Captain Cyril Jackson.  He had his crew filled out as far as officers but he needed a second engineer.  The Engineer officer was 1st Officer that specialized in Engineering and so Jeremiah filled the role of Engineer crewman.  The Regina Blue Mule III, a subsidized merchant class vessel, needed two engineers to monitor and maintain its power plant, jump drive and maneuver drives.

As it turned out, The Mule was a bit of a  maintenance problem. Jeremiah actually spent most of the time monitoring the drives and power plant while the chief engineer ran around fixing other systems.  The one thing that kept crashing was the artificial gravity plates which needed an overhaul. it made life interesting as sometimes for hours on end everyone was floating. Jeremiah took it as an opportunity to work on his Zero-G maneuvers and got quite good at moving about without gravity.

The route was speculative to be sure and The Mule could carry a lot of cargo and as it turned out it was cargo that Captain Jackson wanted to move a lot of.  But he also was a smuggler. Something Jeremiah wouldn’t figure out until the third port of call.  He was however under contract, so he shut his mouth and worked his job.  The trouble with this trip really hit a climax on the return leg to Regina when they actually jumped into the Regina system for the final stop. Jeremiah was eager to put this contract behind him, but one major adventure awaited.

One of the system defense ships hailed them and asked them to power down and prepare to be boarded.  Captain Jackson panicked and ordered them to run for it. Jeremiah quickly surmised that there must be something aboard that was contraband.  Not wanting to be implicated he decided to disable the ship in some way.  He wasn’t sure who was with him on this mutiny, but he for one was not going to be on the run from the Imperium.

The Imperium as a general rule does not give two shits about what each system does to govern itself. The Imperium rules the space between the stars and this was definitely something that the local Imperial authorities would take interest in.  Especially since they were carrying passengers both in staterooms and cold sleep. Captain Jackson’s actions were endangering a lot of lives.  Jeremiah decided to act.  He went over to the console that was governing the artificial gravity and basically disabled it.  The Chief Engineer caught on and tried to stop him but Jeremiah had learned how to maneuver in zero-G, so he went behind him and knocked him out with the butt of his blade.

After that, the lack of gravity played to Jeremiah’s advantage.  The medic and steward were too busy dealing with passengers so he got past them and found his way to the bridge. Captain Jackson was arguing with his bridge officer when he broke in and with a single swipe of his blade floating between them he killed the captain by slicing his neck.  Blood hung weightless in the air as Captian Jackson died.  The bridge officer surrendered,  powered down the rest of the ship, and announced to the Regina system ship their surrender.

This last week had been one fo being arrested by the system authorities and sitting in a cell waiting for processing.  There was some talk of stripping them all of their Free Trader credentials, so Jeremiah placed a call to Captain Juros and an hour later he was released and told nothing would be done to him.  He then started to shake, as it had been the first time he had killed anyone.  He was hoping Jackson’s family wouldn’t be after him until he learned that he had no family left alive.  The Mule would be towed back to port and put up for auction by the bank that supported the loan.

He arrived at The Naked Gypsy and had the first of many drinks. He realized how lucky he was as he could have been killed a couple of times. One more year and this second term would be over. He made a mental note to do more research on any captain before signing on with them. The image of his blade going across Jackson’s neck was still with him, but he slowly realized it was the only way.  Jackson had been armed with a gun and he had to take him down and he used his new skill in Zero-G to do so.

He pulled up the menu for the brothel upstairs. He found a girl he wanted but she had appointments for the next hour.  He paid upfront and reserved her for after that.  Right now, he would be content to nurse a couple more drinks. Hopefully, this next year would be a little more peaceful.

Megatraveler Notes:

Start:

Free Trader 2rd Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O3 – 2nd Officer   Terms Served: 1

UPP: A67A74   Age: 24  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 1, Navigation – 1, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Handgun – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 4, Bonus Money: 25000 Cr.

Year Seven:

Roll for position availability: 4 + 1 for Intelligence = 5  – position not available, serves as enlisted

Roll for assignment: 8 + 1 for Social 5- = 9  – Speculative Trade Route

Survival Roll: 4 + 1 Brownie point spent – 5 – Survives barely.

Skill Roll: 8 – Skill acquired.

Bonus: 5 – No Bonus

Roll for Skills: ( 1 for skill roll): Rolls Shipboard Life: 4 – Zero-G Combat – 1

MegaTraveller Shorthand

Free Trader 2rd Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O3 – 2nd Officer   Terms Served: 1

UPP: A67A74   Age: 25  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 1, Navigation – 1, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Carousing – 1, Small Blade-1, Turret Weapons-1, Streetwise – 1, Zero-G Combat-1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Handgun – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 3, Bonus Money: 25000 Cr.

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!

“Kicking the Bucket” – A Skald’s Life – Foundational Virtues

/ Ed Raby Sr / Leave a comment

Happy Mani’s Day

Journal Entry:

This week I consider my bucket list. You know that list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket. This list is the major milestone I want to hit before my death and i think it is important to have long term goals and that is what they are.

People ask me without Christianity how do I have hope.  I ask them why they would assume that just because I don’t believe in the Chrisitan version of the afterlife any more that I wouldn’t have hope?  If you always looking to the beyond for your justification for living in hope now; I would say you are too heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good. Hope for me is not about life after but the life I have now.

As I deist I concede the atheists might be right and this is all I get. I also hope there is a life after death but I am not going to act as if that is guaranteed.  My bucket list is a reflection of the things that I want so that my life now is enjoyable and the purpose I create with them for my life is my own creation. I find a lot of hope in this.

Honor:

“Honor is the feeling of inner value and worth from which one knows that one is noble of being, and the desire to show respect for this quality when it is found in the world”

Principle – To possess a feeling of inner value about myself and my future with a desire to find the same in others.

Goal: Maintain a daily blog streak of one post per day for an entire year (365 days).

Bucket List: Hike the Northern Lakeshore Trail along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by March 2024.

This is the beginning of my hike bucket list as the first goal.  If my ultimate goal as an old person is to hike the triple crown this is a good training hike to prepare for the idea of how to do something long term.

Courage:

“Courage is the bravery to do what is right always.”

Principle – Act with Courage at the right time.

Goal: Cross one thing off bucket list every year. Deadline March 31st.

Bucket List: Go Back to Budapest, Hungary for a vacation by March 2029.

This is a desire to visit a city I have seen for a few days once again and view all of its places. I loved this town as it did not feel like a city to me.  More of an experience.  I want to experience it again but this time for a couple weeks and enjoy it.

Truth:

“Truth is the willingness, to be honest, and to say what one knows to be true and right. It is often better to not say anything at all if one cannot be honest.”

Principle – To Be Honest, and Speak Truth to Myself and Others.  To Be Silent in the presence of Fools.

Goal: To Write a Non-Fiction Book by March 31st, 2020

Bucket List: Learn Latin by March 31st, 2021 to the point I can take a test and show my self proficient.

A short term bucket list Item and one I am considering changing.  Don’t get me wrong Latin is an awesome language to learn but I am thinking that if I am going to learn a language every couple of years, languages that are actually spoken now might be more beneficial and then learn Latin at a later date.

Higher Virtue: Love:

I am very focused on the fulcrum of self-love right now. my understanding that this is what makes all my other loves possible and stronger is the motivation.  Mostly though I need to start focusing on my goals and bucket list because this is my life and I need to start living it and loving it.

Morning Routine:

  1. Review Nine Noble Virtues (NNV), Principles, Goals and Bucket List
  2. Meditation – 3 min.
  3. Check Communications and Email.
  4. Paper Journal: Create a Daily Log and To-Do List.
  5. Stretching / Yoga
  6. Shower and Personal Hygiene
  7. Get Dressed for the Day

This part got shorter.  I don’t do breakfast and people freak out about it, but you know I have found that eating from what most people would consider 11am to 7pm is sufficient for me and intermittent fasting has proven, when coupled with my Paleo Diet, to improve my fat loss and weight management.

I remain.

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!