Cosmic Odyssey: A Hostile Solo campaign. Episode 9: I think we're alone now?
Sanford Rains has disappeared into the depths of the Maxim with a badly injured Dr. Novara as his hostage. The “contractor” Rains smuggled onto the ship is now in the sick bay in some kind of coma and the landing team has just fought off a marauding band of desert scorpions.
The air lock clanked shut and the landing team looked around apprehensively. Jamal glanced at the sensors on his wrist and was happy to see a solid green light.
“Looks like the life support is still running.” Jamal said, relief evident in his voice.
Is there a blood trail from Rains and Novara? (Likely)
Roll 2D6: 3/5, Yes.
Are there any living creatures on the Maxim, (apart from Rains and Kory)? (50/50)
Roll 2D6: 6/4 (Yes)
Are there any colonists still on the Maxim? (50/50)
Roll 2D6: 1/5, No
Are they all dead? (50/50)
Roll 2D6: 3/4, No
“On me.” Jamal slowly moved down the dimly lit corridor, Kristi following several feet behind, both ex-marines panning their weapons back and forth. Further back came the ship’s scientist, Jack Leftwich still fussing with the dent and tear in the arm of his HES (Hostile Environment Suit)
“I think I patched it up.” He muttered not expecting any response from the soldiers. He got none.
OK, so the colonists or survivors from the Maxim are no longer on board. Whatever caused the survivors escaped is still on board.
So let’s find out what kind of creatures are on board.
10% chance of it being a xenomorph.
Roll 1D100: 05. So that means its a nasty, this could be ugly.
Dominick Sambrano hit the comms, “How’s things in there Chief?”
Let’s do another medical roll for the Chief.
Roll 2D6 : (-3) 5, another failure. Vergis’ condition gets worse.
That’s two failures, I think once we hit five she’ll die. (2/5)
“Not good old hoss. We need a real doc to take a look at her. I don’t know what the problem is and she’s getting worse.”
Sambrano clicked the comms off with a curse. He rubbed his face and took a deep breath. He hit the comms again.
“Zero one, this is the Odyssey, come in.”
The comms crackled in response, “This is zero one, go ahead.” Jamal replied.
“What’s the sit rep?”
“We’re inside. Life support is still working, and it looks like we have a blood trail.”
Dominick winced, “Just get the doc back, OK?”
“Roger Odyssey, zero one out.”
The landing team advances down the hallway, pausing at the first junction in the corridor.
Do they seem anything out of the ordinary? (50/50)
Roll 2D6: 1/4, No.
They come to a room. A roll on the randomized ship interior.
Roll 1D6: 3. From the engineering table. Fusion reactor control room.
Is there anything in this room? (Unlikely)
Roll 2D6: 2/3, No.
The team advances through the deck and follows the blood trail up some stairs up to the second level.
Has Dr. Novara been dumped by Rains? (Likely)
Roll 2D6: 1/5, No. Hmm surprising, Rains is dragging the doc further into the ship.
The red light began flashing on Dominick’s console with an accompanying high-pitched beep.
“What the?” Sambrano punched a few buttons and watched intently as lines of text flashed up on the main monitor on his console.
Confusion crossed his face as he punched the comms button.
“Chief, everything ok down there?”
The speaker crackled briefly, “Well old hoss, the little lady’s stopped foaming at the mouth.”
“That sounds positive at least. “He paused and watched the text flowing across the screen. “I’ve picked up an SOS transponder signal.”
“Alright hoss, what’s the problem?” Chief asked puzzled.
“The signal seems to be really close.”
“You want me to come up and check it out?”
Sambrano smiled thinly, “Yeah, just come up, check it out and then get back to the girl.”
“You got it old hoss.”
Four minutes later Chief flopped into his chair on the bridge and started hitting buttons on his console.
“What do you think?” Sambrano asked as he watched the silent hulk of the Maxim on the main monitor.
Chief grunted as his fingers danced over the keyboard and he squinted at the lines of information flooding his monitor.
“I don’t think it’s in the ship, hoss.” He said finally. “I think it’s under us.”
Dominick frowned, “Under the ship? Are you sure?”
Chief nodded, “It’s the only thing that makes sense looking at the signal.”
“Well shit.” Dominick Sambrano grunted, “Have to wait till the landing team gets back.”
He leaned forward and hit the comms button, “Zero-one, this is Odyssey, come in.”
The comms speaker crackled briefly.
“This is Zero-one, go ahead.”
“How are you guys doing Jamal?” Sambrano asked quickly.
“We’re good boss. Looks like Rains has taken the doc deeper into the ship.”
“Alright.” He glanced at the Chief who raised an eyebrow in response. “Keep in contact and be safe.”
“Yes sir. Zero-one out.”
Sambrano leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face, “Shit, shit, shit.”
“The doc will be fine, old hoss. You’ll see.” Chief grunted as he heaved himself out of his chair and headed towards the door.
“Any idea what’s going on with the girl?”
Chief stopped turned to his friend and shrugged, “Not a goddamn clue, hoss. Sorry.”
The doors hissed closed behind him.
Five minutes later the comms speaker crackled.
“We have a problem.”
Dominick frowned and hit the comms button, “What’s wrong?”
“Umm, the girl’s gone.”
You are creating such a great story! Still lovin’ it!
I second Robin. This is a great story and really holds the readers attention.