Happy Sif’s Day!
Just a reminder this will be a week of fiction instead of the normal posts. Enjoy your holiday presents readers.
Story:
As Jeremiah Kilwood walked into hanger bay C-225 of the Regina Starport, he had an odd but wonderful feeling as the Starship that resided there came into view. It was a Type A Free Trader – Beowulf Class. It was a little worn as it was used, but it was painted blue and white which were his two favorite colors. What made it more wonderful than the colors was the fact that unlike any other ship he had served on – it belonged to him. His own starship was at last in his possession.
This last year had been frightfull dull. He had been part of the Countess’ crew for another charter assignment. He found himself taking small jumps but returning to Regina three times. This he used to his advantage as he had to finalize several things. Firstly it allowed him to monitor his investments nad grow his cash flow which he needed to make some of the final purchase decisions involving the starship.
This was largely possible because he found an old vessel The Beowulf style of Type A Free Trader had been in service for well over a hundred years. This one was forty years old, but thanks to a connection with Captian Juros, she was able to assess that the maintenance and repairs would be minimal and not very expensive as well. Just time-consuming. For the repairs, the Countess herself put a crew on it as a returned favor for his years of service. She even topped off the fuel tanks.
During this time Jeremiah also continued his education and graduated university with a full bachelor’s degree in business. He smiled as he had completed what the Countess had started those years ago. He gazed with pride at his wall in the Captian’s cabin at the degree.
Finally, his investment work had paid off as he had effectively more than doubled his bonus money. He had enough now to get started with cargo and crew. He could even afford to buy his weapons and a few other niceties for his cabin. He was prepared financially to get going.
Mostly was the feeling that he no longer was working for anyone but himself. The risk was his and his alone. But so was any reward. The only thing left was to name the ship. There were, of course, many women that had crossed his path that were worthy and he went through them in his mind.
Captain Juros would be mortified. Kimberly Forrest was an old memory from his first year when he made 4th Officer. She was married and he didn’t know her new name or if her husband had taken hers. He had heard she had two kids and had moved up the bureaucratic ladder in some other agency. There were also the course of girls from The Naked Gypsy – Cherry Rose, Madam Anabelle, Mirana, Sarah, and many others whose names he had forgotten.
Kate Stuvak had been his roommate aboard a ship for an entire year, but after that, he lost track of her for a few years until he saw she had opened up a medical practice in Regina and had gotten married. No, it wouldn’t due to have another man’s wife’s name on the front of your ship. Although from the waist down she might make great nose art. Without her clothes on of course.
Of course, Countess Borgosman would not agree to have herself scantily clad on the front of his ship or even to use her name. No, he was probably going to have to make something up but a good name for a ship was important. She was an old ship but from all his observations still in great shape. A sound and beautiful ship. Also curvy, sexy and experienced.
He sighed and headed to his retirement party which he had been informed of well in advance. The Naked Gypsy was decked out for it and he smiled as he was greeted by old friends, most notably Captain Juros and Countess Borgosman. The Countess coming to a place like the Naked Gypsy spoke truly of how much she honored him. He thanked her very much for coming. The festivities were well attended by everyone in the area. Jeremiah had made a reputation for himself as a Captain and many respected him. Not bad for a Space Tramp from Strouden.
Once the party was over, Madam Anabelle took him to her room and among all the benefits he had received, she told him he was always welcome in her bed. Half price too. He thanked himself that he had spent some time staying in shape this last term. His health was good, his pension in place, a starship in the hanger and nearly a quarter-million credits in cash in his bank account. Good shape indeed.
Now if he could just come up with a name for his ship.
Megatraveler Notes:
Start:
Free Trader Senior Captain Jeremiah Kilwood
Rank: O6 – Senior Captain Terms Served: 4
UPP: A67A94 Age: 37 Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In
Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Brawling-1, Carousing – 1, Intrusion-1, Small Blade-1, Trader-2, Broker-1, Turret Weapons-1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Vacc Suit- 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0
Brownie Points: 9, Bonus Money: 117,500 Cr.
Year Twenty:
Roll for position availability: 9 + for Intelligence = 10 – position available serves as Captain.
Roll for assignment: 8 + 1 for Social – 9 – Charter Assignment
Survival Roll: 10 + 1 for Pilot-2: 11 – Survives easily.
Skill Roll: 12 – Skill acquired.
Bonus: 4 + 1 for Trader-2 – 5 – No Bonus.
Roll for Skills: (1 for skill roll) – Rolls Free Trader Life Table – rolls 4 – Mental Cascade: Chooses Education +1
Reenlistment Roll: 5 – not required to reenlist so musters out
Adds One Brownie Point for Trem Competed:
Aging Crisis: Strength: 8 (no change), Dexterity: 8 (no change), Endurance: 12 (No change)
Mustering Out:
Pension: 4000Cr/year
Benefits: 8 (5-terms served/ 3 for rank). Rolls Benefits table: 5+1 for rank =1 BP spent: 7 Free Trader; Rolls Benefits table: 4+1 for rank +2 BP spent: 7 Free Trader – 10 years payment; Rolls Benefits table: 6+1 for rank: 7 – Free Trader – 10 years payment (20 years total; Rolls Benefits table: 5+1 for rank + 1 BP” Free trader -10 year payment (30 years total); Rolls Benefits table: 3+1 for rank: 4 = 3BP – Free Trader: owns completely paid off Free Trader starship: Rolls Cash Table: 6+1 : 50,000, Rolls Cash Table: 6+1 : 50,000; Rolls Cash Table: 2+1 + 3 BP: 6 – 20000Cr.
Total mustering out benefits: Free Trader Starship – completely paid off. 120000Cr Cash, Pension 4000Cr/year.
Year-End:
Retired Free Trader Senior Captain Jeremiah Kilwood
Rank: O6 – Senior Captain Terms Served: 5
UPP: A67AA4 Age: 38 Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In
Skills: Pilot – 2, Navigation – 2, Engineering – 1, Legal – 1, Liaison- 2, Brawling-1, Carousing – 1, Intrusion-1, Small Blade-1, Trader-2, Broker-1, Turret Weapons-1, Zero-G Combat-1, Handgun – 1, Vacc Suit- 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0
Money: 241,500 Cr.
Owns Free trader starship – no payments. Pension 4000Cr/year.
I remain,
The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.
Skaal!!!
The Grey Wayfarer 