J-002: Previously on Dominion Space, Part 2…
Module Introduction
The continued catch-up history for Chris…
(Played date 21 June 2018)
Module 5: Lying in The GRRAS
Arriving at Grand Riddle Research and Academic Station (GRRAS), Snark 416 
is docked in the station’s enormous docking bay. The team are met at the end of the docking tube by a pair of armed Vizierate wardens in amethyst-coloured combat armour. Chris gets the job of pushing the trolley of loot as they are escorted through the station – which is made of corridors cut out of a cylinder-shaped asteroid.
There’s a brief confrontation between the Wardens and some Legion Customs officials, but Dicard 
states a code and the crew depart the ship without going through customs clearance. The Wardens lead them into the bowels of the station, including a long lift ride as the elevator descends nearly a kilometre through the rock and then a travel pod trip through more rocky tunnels before arriving at the Vizierate’s Offices with their impressive foyer. Then there’s about half a kilometre of more rock-cut corridors before the team arrives at Vizier Frederick’s offices.
Vizant Melody 
meets the team and the escort Wardens withdraw. She says Vizier Fredrick 
will briefly meet with everyone shortly.
Chris wheels the trolley in, leaves it slightly awkwardly just inside the door and flops down onto a couch, putting his feet up on one of the tables.
Pushing the trolley is within Chris’ skill set.
– 5-003
Vizier Frederick meets briefly alone with Vizier Dicard.
While Dicard is in with Frederick, the group has the following dark conversation:
Alan snorts, “what do you expect, working for the Prunes? Anyway, doesn’t worry me, the Legion will take care of me.”
Fromm says darky, “perhaps it will; ‘take care of’ is such a versatile phrase.”
Cris laughs, “I think that’s why we’re here, Doc. Freddie needs things taken care of. By people like us.”
Fromm responds, “that is all well and good until the…caretaking…needs to be officially denied.”
Erin is wearing the expression of someone who is good at concealing how nervous she is, “Oliver, you think Vizier Frederick is going to betray us?”
Oliver responds, “Betray would imply he had some sort of allegiance or agreement with us in the first place. We are tools, not allies or friends or associates.” Oliver’s gaze lingers on the door to Frederick’s room. “We don’t even know our resident babysitter well enough to say he won’t “betray” us.
“Frederick is just going to do what suits him. What that means for us, only he knows.”
“I think that’s why we’re here, Doc. Freddie needs things taken care of. By people like us.”
– Chris Uddin, 5-006
After a bit, Vizant Melody informs everyone they can go in, and everyone does and seats themselves around the conference table. Dicard gives a brief rundown of the mission and Oliver fills in what he’s found working on the recovered materials on the trip back.
When Oliver has finished Frederick informs everyone:
- They will all be debriefed by a Vizier assistant of mine; Vizier Lillith.
- That there may be more work for some of you to do.
- That Melody will speak with each of you individually now to schedule your debrief and go over administrative matters.
Then he looks at Chris, “Follow me with the trolley then return here.”
GRRAS [211.346] Not in Play
Chris will follow Vizier Frederick out of the room by a different door. Vizier Frederick will open a secure room with a heavy door that he opens with his ID Tag and a retina scan. Inside are shelves with documents, data widgets, bars of gold, piles of coins and lockers, one of which looks suspiciously like a gun locker. Frederick tells him to wheel the trolley in and leave it. Then he closes the secure door behind them and leads Chris back to the conference room, continuing past the room toward a different door, which he presents his tag at to enter. Being the lift-and-carry man gives Chris an opportunity to speak with Vizier Frederick alone if he wishes to use it; will he say anything?
Chris gives a one-line summary of the store room. Melody will call people out of the conference room-one-by-one to deal with ‘administrative issues’. Dicard is already gone by the time he returns, then Halcyon, then Oliver, then it is Chris’ turn. She leads him to a small office where she:
- Makes an appointment for him to be debriefed by Vizier Lillith the next Cycle and reminds him not to be late
- Assigns him quarters at the ‘Bradbury Residential complex’ and tells him how to get there
- Notes that it has been 191 Cycles since he was recruited and pays him ʄ47,750 Money
Chris gets a drink of water and sits in one of the conference room chairs, rocking back and forwards on it and idly spinning side-to-side while he waits.
– 5-010
GRRAS [211.346] Not in Play
We don’t really know what Chris did next, I assume he went to his assigned quarters and found himself in a one-bedroom apartment (Oliver’s is described in 5-015 and Chris’ is identical.) Compared to the tiny cabin on the Snark, it is luxurious, and indeed, compared to many apartments is well appointed and comfortable, if blandly furnished. I assumed he might have gone an splurged a chunk of his pay on wine, women and song but it was never specified. However, he was disciplined enough to be on time for his meeting with Vizier Lillith.
GRRAS [211.347] 5-037
We catch up with Chris nextCycle for his debrief. Chris spens a little while waiting for Oliver to finish and is leaning across Melody’s desk, chatting to her when Oliver emerges.
Oliver gives Chris a friendly smile. “All good on your end?”
Whatever Chris says Oliver responds positively – he seems in an unusually good mood.
Melody says he can go in.
GRRAS [211.347] Not in Play
Minor Vizier Lilith Saden-Eyder is an older woman in Vizierate robes who intrudes herself and notes that most people call her ‘Nanny’; she invites Chris to do so if he wishes.
She asks if he would like some tea?
Then she spends a long time asking him questions about the mission…
Near the end of the interview Nanny tells Chris that there may be a great deal more for the team to do. “A picture is emerging of a security threat to the Dominion.”
It’s not clear what Chris does for the next few cycles except…
… Chris arrives for the next scheduled meeting at the Vizierate having acquired a loud yellow shirt.
Frederick gives a brief introduction indicates that the team for the previous project will now be assigned as primary assets for a follow-on project, and leaves Nanny to do the remainder of the briefing.
The detail is contained at 5-187, fyi, but in summary it is:
- Argyle’s Notebook wasn’t among the goodies recovered
- Go back to Pristine
- Recover the Notebook.
Nanny notes a few specific assignments for people, speaking to Chris, she says, “we shall see if we can give you some nice toys to play with, dear. All going well your services shan’t be needed and this will be an easy ride.”
She reminds everyone not to discuss the mission. The plan is that they will travel on a Vizierate research ship to Zargonia, do a few investigations there and pick up a new ship for the trip back to Pristine, departing nextCycle.
The meeting breaks up and Chris says he’s going for a drink at a bar he’s found called The Green Cow. Everyone else agrees to go but Oliver, so we don’t actually know any details from play.
Chris mouths the words ‘primary assets’, looks at Oliver and mimes, “Is that us?”– 5-186
GRRAS [211.351] Not in Play
Drinks at The Green Cow.
GRRAS [211.352] 5-195
The next Cycle, Chris will board the Vizierate Research Ship Illuminator for the trip to Zargonia.
The module Lying in The GRRAS was worth 3 XP.
Any comments on the out-of-play bits?
Any questions?
The recap continues…