Out of the Dark
The Lucky Devil pirates will make a play at the fully loaded Venture as it accelerates for jump speed toward Prenglar. Two privateer class vessels will attack and another vessel will remain at the extreme range of detection equipment and never close. Each of the pirate vessels are placed on the board first on either of the long sides of the map at a speed of 15. Venture is then place on one of the short sides of the map at a speed of 12. Encounter goes for 8 turns or until one or more of the pirate vessels are seriously damage.
The pirate vessels are heavily modified Rim Song Class yachts: HS 3, HP 15, ADF 3, MR 3, DCR 29, Laser Battery, Assault Rockets (2), reflective hull, no lifeboats
Note: If the PCs have not finished all of their chores there could be an impact on the battle. If the targeting issues are not resolved there will be a -3% penalty for the weapon with the targeting glitch. If the PC have not finished loading the HARM ammo but have unloaded the original rocket battery ammo then the RB will not be available for the combat.
If Ramirez has survived the previous fight at the farm, he will be in command and have blood in his eye. He needs a win or he’ll face the wrath of his leader back on Laco so he will go hard to capture and/or destroy the Venture. He is likely to converse with Venture as the pirate’s standard procedure is intimidation to save on ammo. Role-play the videocom exchange as having happened just before the ship counters are placed on the KHs map. More role-play could be possible during the battle and a good reasoned argument could cause the second ship to break off. If this happens, make a LDR roll for Ramirez to retain command. If Ramirez remains in command he will continue to fight unless the odds are too hopeless at which case his crew will force him to flee the battle.
A Stowaway
The young boy Keyvan will have become attached to the PCs. He is ideal to become an NPC adventure companion with the PCs and he has level 1 robotics which can be a help to the PCs. One way to work him into the party is have him stow away on the last shuttle trip to the Venture. He’ll leave the shuttle after the PCs and find a hiding place somewhere.
When Kleevor calls for red alert and action stations he will have the intercom open to all decks and coughing will be heard over the intercom. The fact that a space battle is imminent and there is evidence of a stowaway aboard should be greeted with alarm. Someone will need to locate the source of the cough even as the battle is beginning. Keyvan does not have a vacuum suit so once he’s found precautions will need to be taken for his safety during the battle (if asked, Kleevor will suggest locking him in an escape pod). Once the battle is over, Kleevor will press on to Prengular and Laco and the party will be stuck with the youth till the ship can swing back through the Timeon system. Kleevor is amenable to putting the boy to work as he himself started as a cabin boy on board a CFM vessel ages ago. However, the captain will require that one of the PCs send a message back to Keyvan’s sister explaining his presence and that they’ll return him next time they’re in system (after all it was the PCs that were operating the shuttle that the boy came aboard on).
Aftermath
The Venture may require repairs after the battle and that will call for a brief layover at Gran Quievra where the captain will check on his imprisoned former crew one last time. The crew can visit Port Loren but there is no payday yet as the cargo has yet to be sold at Laco where it will get the best price. The PCs can try to move the luxury items they received on Lossend but will find they can get 90% to 100% of the value with tough haggling session but it will be immediate cash. If they hold the luxury items till Laco they can negotiate and get 100%-120% of the value.
Experience Points: Delta Section
Award 1-3 EXP for this phase of the adventure. Award more for not getting the ship shot up whether by a negotiated end to the encounter or good gunnery. Award less for the Vetnure being heavily shot up.
