There was some further discussion as to whether the surviving wilders should be captured, but at the moment it was pretty certain that they had no idea who’d carried out the strike and letting them know didn’t seem worth it. 

Wombat set to, and was able to complete the minor repairs on the Shadowcat Tinkles, though it struck him that a set of robotics tools would have been a useful investment..

Newland, Tarsus/District 268/Spinward Marches, 175/1106

The Brig

Back at Newland, the Brlig debriefed them. Feng urged him to have Tarsan SysDef blockade the planet to stop shipments and mercenaries reaching the wilders. He promised to consider it, though he seemed to be thinking once more about the post-war optics of shooting down merchant shipping that declined to comply. Nevada rather belatedly brought up the concept of payment for the strike they had just carried out. After a little discussion, he was content to settle for a Mercenary license and some reloads for his new favourite high-velocity toy. When asked if there was anything else they could do, the Brig’s answer was to urge them to go and fetch the next shipment of walkers from Motmos before the wilders gathered themselves to attack Newland.

The Brig and Hagman were interested to learn that the smugglers had been paid in cash rather than poached nobble. Clearly, they agreed, funding was reaching the rebel wilders from somewhere other than raiding and poaching.

Feng, Nevada and Feaysen set to gathering cargo and passengers for the Long Walk. It proved unexpectedly easy; a fair number of people were trying to flee Tarsus and ship their valuables away, not confident the government could win the war and restart the economy. Other captains were charging ‘war rates’, some between 3 and 10 times the going price. They could have filled their six Low berths five times over. The six High cabins went at once to the Bridgertons, a well-to-do family of five and their maid. Eyeing the masses of application for Low and Basic passage, the crew rigged up some very simple accommodation in the cargo hold, and stretched their life-support systems to handle twenty more passengers. Then Feng contacted Labour Aid, a charity for displaced itinerant ranch hands and offered to ship the first 20 out for KCr3 each. 

While this was happening, word went around the port that another large ranch, Beckfoot, had fallen. Several hours later, four battered grav harvesters reached the city, loaded with traumatized and wounded women, children and old people. Beckfoot was only fifty klicks from Newland; the rebels were getting closer. 

Newland, Tarsus/District 268/Spinward Marches, 177/1106

Loaded up, the Long Walk jumped for Trexalon, skipping Collace and Pavabid in line with their arrangement. During the jump, Feng befriended the nine-year-old Bridgerton daughter Marjorie and impressed her no end with tales of adventure and a look at her now infamous (unloaded) pink gauss rifle. By the time the flight was half over, not only did Marjorie want to grow up to be an Imperial Marine, but young Clive had sneaked onto the casino table and lost all his minimal pocket money, mainly through going all soppy whenever Feaysen swayed past. Mrs Bridgerton was not at all happy. 

Emerging from jump at Trexalon, they filed their usual plan to scoop and dock at the Highport. Somehow, the process seemed just a bit easier than usual, the officials more helpful, the patrolling SysDef SDBs a little less watchful. Eventually, Nevada enquired, and was told, “What you’re doing is a benefit to us all. It aligns with the interests of the TTC” He scratched his head. “If we’re a benefit, there’s money in it; so I’d like to know exactly what we did!” 

The passengers were debarked at the highport; the Low popsicles puking and dipping in lavage as usual, the refugees stiff and grubby but grateful to have arrived. Sophie Bridgerton dragged her children away in the wake of the porterbot with their luggage, but Gerald lingered a moment to shake hands and thank the crew with a wry grin. 

They picked up some freight - actually for Tyrex at Trensham - and a couple of passengers, and jumped for Motmos.

Wombat - and Feng, who was beginning to swot up on her Robotics - asked if Trensham’s stores had any robot tools they could buy. Barton grinned, and organized two sets with his compliments. They came complete with dedicated hand computers loaded with diagnostic and remedial software. 

Newland, Tarsus/District 268/Spinward Marches, 207/1106

After another smooth trip through Trexalon space, the ship returned to Tarsus, and the Tyrex ex-demo team set to with a will unpacking and assembling. While this was happening, Ewing Hagman drew Feng and Nevada aside for a quiet chat. “We hear that the rebels’ next target is my ranch - Nobfork,” he said, looking a little embarrassed. “I know it’s probably wrong for me to trade on our friendship, but it is my home. Would you be prepared to go and help out in its’ defence?” 

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Session Date: Oct 10th 2023