Chapter 2: Finding the Onslaught

 Truths: Religion

Our gods failed us. We left them behind. The Exodus was a tipping point. The gods offered no help to the billions who died in the cataclysm, and spirituality has little meaning in the Forge. Most now see religion as a useless relic of our past. But the search for meaning continues, and many are all-too-willing to follow a charismatic leader who claims to offer a better way.

[Begin a Session: Influential character or faction is introduced or given new detail. +1 momentum (10)]

Wayfinder

A small crowd of about 8 people is gathered in front of the Whistling Pig Tavern. A robed figure is standing before them with an open book in one hand and clutching a scroll in the other. She looks over the crowd and begins to speak.

"In every circumstance of our life, we either operate in faith or in fear. Everyone has their own fears. Maybe you’re afraid of losing your job, your health, or your finances. The list could go on and on, for all of us have things that cause us “fear.” Percentage of things feared that will never take place: 60%, Percentage of things feared that are considered to be insignificant for you: 90%, Percentage of things feared in relation to health that will never happen: 88%. So why fear?"

People in the crowd begin to talk in hushed tones as the figure continues to speak.

"There are three types of fear. The first is Protective Fear. Fear that helps us respond to a dangerous situation is protective fear. The second is Godly fear. As believers, we are to fear sin and its consequences. We fear God. The third is Chronic Fear.

"Chronic fear is unhealthy fear. This is a type of fear that either starts as sin or some circumstances that you have been in, heard, or assumed. When it persists it turns into anxiety and stress. This fear keeps us from doing things we should do. It is a fear based on one’s presumptions and assumptions and can even lead to depression."

A few more people join the crowd and listen to the preacher.

"The Danger of fear. Fear torments you. Torment means physical or mental suffering. Someone said that fear has two meanings: Forget everything and run or face everything and rise.

"My name is Wayfinder and I'm here to tell you that the Heralds of the Blessed Ascendancy can get rid of all your fears and help you rise up. Be a better you, a stronger you."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 After a good night's sleep in his own bed, Tinker returned to the Starfall and went through the preflight checklist.

"Hey Rodney, you find any problems with the diagnostics?"

"No problems found cap'n. We be in fine shape 'n ready t' leave when ye be." Rodney replied over the ship's intercom.

Tinker shook his head and took off from Mudd Station. Once they were a safe distance away he started up the E-drive and slipped into the Drift.

[Undertake an Expedition,  rolling +wits: Miss: 4 + 4 + 0 = 8 vs 9 | 10 you are waylaid by a crisis or arrive at a waypoint to confront an immediate hardship or threat. Do not mark progress, and Pay the Price: Old repair or patch fails]

As we exited the Drift, the emergency alarms began blaring all around the ship.

"What's happening Rodney?" Tinker asked as he looked out the viewscreen. A large comet with a tail of ionized gas was passing by the Starfall. It was a beautiful sight but was far enough away to not cause any problems to the ship.

"It seems the repairs that we did t' the sensor array a while back 'ave malfunctioned 'n went, offline cap'n." Rodney said over the intercom.

"Well, get them back online. We need them, Rodney."

"Ye got it, cap'n." Rodney said as he made his way to the sensor array.

[Secure an Advantage Weak Hit: 1 + 4 + 0 = 5 vs 5 | 2 Add +1 on your next move (not a progress move)]

[Repair rolled Utility bots health +1 for securing an advantage: weak hit: 6 + 4 + 1 = 11 vs 1 | 10 (Can never go a 10 on your roll, unfortunately) On a hit, you gain repair points as appropriate to the situation, 1 point. Additionally, you may Sacrifice Resources and exchange each -1 of supply for 1 extra repair point (up to 3 points) Got 1 point sacrifice 2 supplies to get the other 2 needed to make a 3 point repair. -2 Supply (3)]

"It's goin' t' take a while Cap'n. The power relay t' the sensor be fried 'n I needs t' see if we 'ave the parts in hold. We might be sittin' here fer a few hours." Rodney said.

Sigh "Okay, Rodney. Let me know when you're done. I'll start powering up the E-drive." Tinker said as he set the E-drive recharge into motion. 

About 5 hours later the Starfall was back to full working order and Tinker entered the Drift.

[Undertake an Expedition: Rolled +wits: Weak Hit: 3 + 4 + 0 = 7 vs 7 | 5 Mark progress but at a cost. Make a suffer move -2 or two suffer moves -1. Marked progress on expedition 2 boxes, Peril: Compartment catches fire or is breached] 

We exited the Drift right in the middle of a Meteoroid storm. Some of the Meteoroids were car-sized while others were as small as a pebble. One meteor the size of a truck smashed into the hull of the Starfall, klaxons began ringing inside the ship.

[Withstand Damage -2 integrity (3): Weak Hit Strong Hit 4 + 3 + 0 = 7 vs 3 | 8 Burned 10 Momentum reset to (2). Ride it out: Take +1 momentum (3)]

"Rodney, Brace for impact. We landed in the middle of a Meteoroid storm." Tinker said as he fired up the maneuvering thrusters and began to avoid as much of the meteors as possible. "Check the engine room. I'm registering a fire in there."

[Face Danger: Rodney entering the Engine room Rolled +wits Miss: 5 + 4 + 0 = 9 vs 10 | 10 On a miss, you fail, or a momentary success is undermined by a dire turn of events. Pay the Price: You (Rodney) are harmed]

[Companion takes a hit -1 health (3) Rolled Companion Health: Weak Hit: 1 + 3 + 0 = 4 vs 5 | 3  Rodney presses on.]

"Shiver Me Timbers Cap'n. Thar's a fire in the Engine cabin. I be goin' t' try 'n get it out now. It burned me shirt 'n chest" Rodney said over the intercom as he rushes into the room and hits the fire suppression system release valve.

[Secure an Advantage: Rolled Rodney's health: Strong Hit: 3 + 3 + 0 = 6 vs 1 | 2 Take +2 momentum and +1 more for Utility bot Asset. (6) Add +1 on your next move (not a progress move)]

Rodney hits the valve and the suppression system turns on, flooding the engine room with water and putting out the fire. Scorch marks can be seen all over the walls and on Rodney's chest.

"The fire's out cap'n." Rodney says over the intercom. "I needs repair cap'n"

"Roger that Rodney, Let me grab my kit. I'll be right there."

[Repair.  Rolled +wits added +1 for gearhead: Strong Hit: 2 + 4 + 1 = 7 vs 4 | 5 Got 3 repair points. Will cost 1 to repair Rodney (4 health) and will use the last 2 to repair the damage to the engine room (5 integrity) got +1 momentum (7) from gearhead asset]

After what seemed like hours, Rodney and the engine room of the Starfall were fully repaired and they Entered the Drift once more.

[Undertake an Expedition. Rolled +wits : Weak Hit: 4 + 4 + 0 = 8 vs 3 | 9 Mark progress (4 boxes now) but at a cost. Pay the Price: You are stressed -1 Spirit (4)]

[Endure Stress: You give in to fear or compulsion, and act against your better instincts: Weak Hit: 1 + 4 + 0 = 5 vs 4 | 10 Press on.]

As they exited the Drift, A young star incubating in a molecular cloud was in the center of their viewscreen. At first, Tinker thought they exited too close but sensors showed they were at a safe distance from the young star. 

Tinker took a deep breath and wiped his brow. The stress over the last few days have been getting to him.

"Rodney, I'm going to sleep. After the E-drive charges plot in the next waypoint. Wake me up when we get there." Tinker said as he left the bridge and went to his quarters to sleep.

[Undertake an Expedition. Rolled +wits : Weak Hit: 4 + 4 + 0 = 8 vs 7 | 8 Mark progress (6 boxes) at a cost. Old repair or patch fails]

The Starfall came out of the Drift and in the distance, Tinker could see what looked to be the remains of some huge space creatures. Tinker turned on the sensor array and the panel began to blink on and off before going out.

"Dammit, Rodney. The sensor array is out again. I thought you fixed it?" Tinker said as he got up out of his chair and headed to the power relay for the Sensors. "Let's go fix this. I'll show you how to do it properly this time."

"Ye're the boss." Rodney said as they went to fix the power relay.

[Repair. Used Rodney and Gearhead. Rolled +Rodney's Health +1 gearhead: Strong Hit: 6 + 4 + 1 = 11 vs 9 | 4 +1 momentum Rodney +1 momentum Gearhead (9) 3 repair points. Fixed the Sensor array again]

After a few hours, the E-drive showed that it was fully charged.

"E-drive be fully operational Cap'n. Shall we set off?" Rodney asked.

"Negative. I want to see what that is over there." Tinker said as he set a course to the huge objects floating in space.

[Explore a waypoint: Strong Hit: 5 + 4 + 0 = 9 vs 8 | 4 On a strong hit, choose one. Gain progress: Mark progress on your expedition, per its rank. (8 boxes now]

This looked to be a graveyard for a few huge starfish-shaped space creatures with long tentacles that had suction cups at the end of them.

"We are close. I remember reading in the report from Cutter that the Onslaught was just a few light-years from some graveyard. Let's jump."

[Undertake an Expedition: Rolled +wits: Weak hit Burned 9 momentum (2) Strong Hit: 3 + 4 + 0 = 9 vs 8 | 1. Mark progress (10 boxes)]

[Progress Roll: Find the derelict ship the Onslaught: Strong Hit = 10 vs 1 | 8 On a strong hit, you reach your destination. Mark a reward on your discoveries legacy track per expedition’s rank: dangerous=2 ticks.] 

[Reach a milestone for my Vow to Find and Salvage the Onslaught. Marked 1 box (1)]

As the Starfall exited the Drift they saw in the viewscreen the derelict Pennant class starship, The Onslaught. Tinker adjusted his course and as they got closer they could see bodies floating in space around the ship and scorch marks on the hull. A huge aft section was blown open to space. 

"Some kind of battle happened here, Rodney. Let's get ready." Tinker said.

[End of Session move: What will the Dynamic Duo find in the Onslaught? Will they make it out of there alive? Will they find anything of Value? Find out the next Chapter. +1 momentum (3)]

[End of Session stats: Momentum 3 Health 5 Spirit 5 Supply 5 Starfall Integrity 5 Rodney's Health 4. marked 1 box (1) on the Vow to find and Salvage the Onslaught]