Session Eight Summary

Before the next war games mission was due to commence, news arrived of an explosion on Hvelfiham. The sector news agencies reported that a none too spectacular building, located in a nothing special area of the Main Ops Base on Hvelfiham had been destroyed by an unknown assailant. As it turned out, this building was the secret HQ of the black ops unit and the leader of said unit, Imon T’Lora was likely a victim of this explosion.

Within hours, the team arrive on Hvelfiham to investigate. They find little to enlighten them beyond the initial secret report they received from their only Church contact, a specialized communication VI. This report indicated that the likely origination of the assailant was a deep space station called Trumpler 4 located in a non-affiliated system called Phippe. A company called Babylon, operating nearby had been bringing hundreds of contractors on and off world for the proceeding 3 weeks. With a little research they discover that a ship carrying contractors for Babylon left the planetary region at almost the exact same moment of the explosion. This ship, it turns out was carrying a forged transponder.

Making their way to the Phippe system, the team board the station and begin a search for a group of suspicious persons, of which they only have surveillance photos from the port in orbit above Hvelfiham. With luck on their side, the team find a couple in the local watering hole who recognize some of the photos and give them a contact name: Ellis Gollum.

At the customization shop called Absolute Magnitude, owned by Ellis Gollum, it turns out that one of his craftsmen, James is a close friend of team member Jones. One look at the photos though, and James withdraws, frightened. In the office, after some smooth talk by team member Iris, Ellis Gollum agrees to send the team information on the people in the photos.

Next session begins on on Friday, April 21, 3200

From the diary of Thisby Preem [partially un-redacted]

Dear XXXXXXXXX,

Basking in our success from the war games was short-lived. Our HQ was destroyed by a terrorist attack. Specifically, our commander's, [Saltique Imon T’Lora], private worship chambers. That's where the blast began. The building suffered structural damage and collapsed. There were no survivors. Nearly 1000 dead.

We rushed back to the system and were tasked (officially?) with investigation, though some on the team now feel 'untethered' to the Church and are advocating rogue missions for credits. [The Chained One] disappeared mid-mission and is assumed awol. I sincerely hope evidence ties him to this crime and we can hunt him down in the name of Mother Church.

Evidence from the crime scene led to [Trumpler 4, a lawless space station]. Interviews with working residents provided mixed messages. They do have a very nice bar, however, and I believe I am 'getting the hang' of how credits work and their general usefulness. Reports that I became inebriated are categorically false.

Mr. Smith participated in a melee competition. Spectators are encouraged to wager on such events (who knew such things?) and because of his augmented skills I was able to parlay my (read: Iris') 9 remaining credits all the way to 144 credits. I am now torn as to what to do with the newfound wealth. It is more than I have ever possessed in my life and I feel as though it could be the start of a very good retirement account. Then again, I have taken a vow of poverty following the Constraints of Forgiveness and I should give this fortune away.

And of course, it was Iris' money to begin with. I guess I owe her 15 credits.

PS - [XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX X X XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXX]