You've arrived at the Long-Range Beacon. when the FTL Drive is charged you can jump to the next Sector.
Civilian colonists loyal to the Rebel cause are present on a nearby planet. It looks like they care currently receiving a supply shipment. Could be useful.
1. Attack the Rebels
2. Wait and steal the supplies from the civilians.
3. Leave them be.
"If we want the most possible amount of supplies, I suggest that we attack the Rebels, defeat them, and then take supplies from the civilians," Meredith stated.
"Sounds reasonable enough, Commander. Everyone ready?"
Meredith noted the lack of concern for the NPC lives in Felix's voice. Had he really changed that quickly?
"You really going to refer to us by those titles, man?" Chase asked.
"You bet, Ensign. Like I was saying, everyone ready? Let's attack!"
Felix pressed option one.
The enemy ship was a Rebel Rigger, armed only with a small beam weapon and a beam drone.
"They can't penetrate our shields," Meredith declared. "They don't stand a chance."
The Rebel ship went down unceremoniously.
"With the Rebel ship destroyed, you take the time to collect what little scrap remains. They had already made their delivery to the civilians.
Missiles 2, Drone Part 1, Scrap 11
1. Steal the civilian supplies.
2. Leave the civilians alone."
Felix pressed option one after skimming the message. No hesitation.
You make the colonists teleport the supplies to your ship. It's nothing more than building construction supplies. Oh well, scrap is scrap.
Scrap 11
"Meredith, what sector should we go to next? Looks like we have a choice between a rock controlled and a pirate controlled sector," Felix said.
"Okay. Let's go to the pirate sector. If I recall correctly, Rock ships usually have many missile weapons, which we can't deal with since we don't have any defense drones," she responded.
"Sounds good."
Felix selected the pirate controlled sector and they were off.
A few Federation-friendly planets still exist in this sector, but they are constantly under attack by pirate raids. This is a dangerous sector, so be careful.
"Exactly how dangerous is dangerous?" Margaret inquired.
"We won't know until we get into combat," Meredith replied.
"Commander, it looks like there's a store within jump range. Should we visit it?" Felix said.
"Not if we can help it. It's best to visit as many other beacons as possible before going there, so that we have as much scrap as possible to buy any essential upgrades. We want to avoid not being able to afford anything and wasting a jump… Captain."
Being called "Captain" made Felix perk up.
"Okay then! We'll jump somewhere else. Ready?"
The crew responded in the affirmative. Felix hit the JUMP button.
"You arrive in an asteroid belt to discover that a Rebel automated-scout has been stationed here. Prepare for a fight!"
The background was littered with thousands upon thousands of floating rocks.
"Umm, what the hell is this?" Chase yelled.
"We're in an asteroid field. Considering the situation, the asteroids are nothing to worry about. One will strike our shields every once in awhile, but Margaret should be able to recharge them fast enough before another one strikes. The main concern is the enemy missile weapon, which I'll disable with our own missile launcher. The enemy has two layers of shields, so missiles will help greatly," Meredith explained.
"Sounds good, Commander. Everyone ready?" Felix asked.
"Yes. It's up to you and Chase to dodge the missiles, Captain," she replied.
"Affirmative. Let's go!"
Felix unpaused.
"You're in an asteroid field. Periodically asteroids will strike your ship," the DANGER icon read.
Immediately after the fight started, the rebel auto-ship revealed an additional laser weapon and a bomb weapon.
"They're more well-armed than we thought, guys!" Chase exclaimed.
The two ships exchanged fire at the same time. The enemy two-shot laser only brought down one layer of shields, but their missile struck the piloting system directly, knocking Felix out of his seat and disabling the system. The Kestrel's missile and laser volley did moderate damage to the rebel weapons, disabling their missile and laser weapons.
"Piloting is essential. Repair it as quickly as possible!" Meredith said.
Felix rubbed his head and got up. He was bruised and still a little woozy from the impact, but he pulled out his wrench and got to repairs.
Meredith missed her laser volley, but changed targets with her next one and destroyed the enemy shields. The auto-ship could not repair any of their systems in time, and without their shields, the rebel ship was torn apart by the asteroid belt grinder.
"The ship explodes, leaving behind a substantial collection of useful scrap material."
Fuel 3, Missiles 2, Scrap 22
"Everything okay, Captain?" Margaret asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm still on the crew list, aren't I? Just a little wounded."
Felix healed up in the medbay and then returned to the piloting room.
"Our hull is still in good condition," Meredith pointed out.
"Yeah, nothing to worry about. Let's hit the next beacon," Felix said.
As soon as you arrive, a small ship de-cloaks behind yours. You immediately power up the shields and weapons, but they continue on their trajectory unimpressed. You try to calm your nerves
"Hmm… maybe that ship was like ours: manned by players from the real world," Felix speculated.
"I wouldn't think so, Captain. This is just one of the default empty beacon messages," Meredith responded.
"Are you sure? Do you remember this message specifically?"
"No, but it seems in line with other messages that I can remember."
Felix wanted to make contact with the mysterious ship to make sure that Meredith was correct, but they were already gone. If they were real people, at least they didn't open fire. Fighting other players was the last thing that Felix wanted. He JUMPED to the next beacon.
You are immediately contacted by a settlement, "Hello, travelers. Your ship seems to be outfitted for combat… care to take up a bit of mercenary work?
1. Listen to their offer.
2. Decline.
"This is a good opportunity to get supplies. We should listen to their offer," Meredith suggested.
"Okay then."
Felix hit option one.
A space dock is under assault from the Rebels. Although the dock is… technically… illegal within their laws, it's very important for our trade. we'll pay you in fuel and scrap if you promise to save them.
1. Agree to rescue the store.
2. Decline.
"Hey, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Though, in this case I guess it would be 'the illegalness towards illegals are legal to me'?" Chase said.
"That one needed more time in the oven, Chase," Margaret replied, chuckling.
"There's no downside in agreeing to rescue the store, even if we don't end up going to it. Let's accept the quest," Meredith stated.
Felix hit option one.
They transmit the space dock's coordinates.
Added a quest marker to your map!
Fortunately, the quest beacon was along their planned path, meaning they wouldn't have to go out of the way to clear it. Felix hit the JUMP button to the next beacon in a nebula.
You jump into the middle of a plasma storm. Multiple recently incapacitated ships loom in the shadows, briefly illuminated by the lightning.
1. Manually search the wreckage for survivors and equipment.
2. Avoid the risk and wait to jump away unscathed.
"Wow, it's so dark outside. I'd hate to be caught out there!" Margaret commented.
"What's the plan, Meredith?" Chase asked.
"At this point, it's important that we get more equipment for our ship, despite the risk. A weapon would be most beneficial. Getting another crew member wouldn't be bad, either," Meredith explained.
"Any potential consequences?" Felix questioned. "It looks pretty hairy out there."
"Only minor ones. The worst that could happen is that we take minor hull damage. Also, it's possible that we find nothing. Since our hull is in good condition, it's worth the risk."
"Okay, sounds good. Let's do it."
Felix hit option one.
While the crew is off the ship searching through the wrecks, two hulls crash into each other breaking the crew's tethers. You have no time to react as someone is knocked away, floating helplessly into the gaseous clouds...
Missiles 1, Drone Part 1, Scrap 18 Magmar is gone
The crew looked at the message in disbelief.
"Oh, no," Meredith said.
"What? Magmar is gone? You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Chase shouted.
"Do… does that say what I think it says?" Margaret asked faintly.
"Oh, thank god you're still here!" Chase said.
"I think she will disappear as soon as we press Continue," Meredith stated quietly.
"What? Really?" Margaret asked, her voice beginning to crack.
"Meredith! I thought you said this wouldn't happen? What the hell?" Chase yelled.
"I do not know. This should not have happened."
"But it did! And now we're going to lose Margaret!"
Margaret wailed.
"Oh, Christ. Oh, god," Chase muttered, his head in his hands.
"Commander. Meredith. Is there any way that we can prevent this?" Felix asked desperately.
"No. I am sorry. There is nothing we can do now."
"Damn it!" Felix yelled. "Then we're supposed to just let this happen?"
Meredith didn't respond. Margaret's sniffles echoed through the comms. No one knew what to do. Many minutes passed in almost complete silence. Millions of thoughts ran through each of their minds.
"Felix… Captain. You have to press Continue. We must press on," Meredith stated, her cold voice breaking the silence.
"I know, but we... at least have to say our goodbyes to Margaret first."
"It's okay! I don't want you guys to worry about little ol' me. Just press Continue!" Margaret said, all of the sadness seemingly gone from her voice.
"How could you say that? You mean so much to all of us. To me!" Chase responded.
"I don't want you guys to cry over my loss. I wasn't here for that long anyway. Just keep your heads up and keep going," she said.
"She's right," Meredith followed up.
"What? Meredith, this is all your-" Chase yelled.
Margaret interrupted him, "Meredith, I just want you to know that I don't blame you. You've already got us this far. You're a good person."
"There's no need to claim something untrue. I am responsible for this mistake," Meredith mumbled.
"Take care of the rest of the crew for me, will you, Meredith? Don't let the boys get into any trouble, you hear?"
"Of course, Margaret. Of course," Meredith replied, her usually confident voice shattering for the first time.
"Hey, it's not for certain that you're gone forever. Maybe you'll return to the real world instead! Right?" Chase asked longingly, not sure of his own words.
Margaret smiled.
"Chase, thank you for trying to protect me all of the time. I really enjoyed your jokes and your sense of humor. You're a really great guy."
"I'll see you once we get out of this game, I promise. I promise!" Chase exclaimed.
"And Felix?"
"Yeah?"
"It was a pleasure and an honor serving under you, Captain Felix. I know you'll have to make some tough decisions in the near future, and I understand more than ever now that even the best decisions have risks. I know you'll do what's best for the survival of our crew, though. I know you won't let us down. Get home safe, okay?"
"Okay, Lieutenant Margaret. I'll… do my best. It was a pleasure and an honor having you in the crew."
"Good to hear," Margaret said with a grin. "Now hit that Continue and get out of here, you hear? Go on, get!"
Not wanting to prolong the inevitable, Felix closed his eyes, grit his teeth, and pressed Continue.
"Farewell, Margaret," he whispered, tears rolling down his face.
The plasma storm raged in the background, briefly illuminating the black and purple swirling nebula clouds. The sounds of thunder reverberated throughout the Kestrel. The crew list had gone down to three members. The shields room was empty. Margaret was gone.