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thegreatspaceracerp2022-11-12 05:45 pm
space_aces) wrote in thegreatspaceracerp2022-11-12 05:45 pm
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EVENT #1
SURVIVAL OF THE FASTEST
Dropping a set of coordinates in the logs of every Privateer space ship with no further elaboration or explanation is a way of delivering a lead that only SUPERBIA would do. What awaits at the site of the coordinates is not a civilization, nor an unpopulated rock, but a planet-sized tourist trap: The Dayton Entertainment Platform, the host of the biggest space ship race in the tri-galaxy area, the Mobius Prix.
For a place where everything is happening, none of it seems to matter for a treasure-hunting Privateer. The coordinates may seem like a total non sequitur, or a passive aggressive suggestion from SUPERBIA to take it easy. Until one starts hearing the rumors that the prize for winning the race was carved from a piece of Fortuna itself...
For a place where everything is happening, none of it seems to matter for a treasure-hunting Privateer. The coordinates may seem like a total non sequitur, or a passive aggressive suggestion from SUPERBIA to take it easy. Until one starts hearing the rumors that the prize for winning the race was carved from a piece of Fortuna itself...
1Now This Is Podracing
The Möbius Prix is an utterly ruthless affair. Anything goes, with the only rule of the race being no weapons. If a Privateer wants a closer look at that trophy, they can consider entering the race and winning it for themself. Fast space ships have an advantage (advice that could have come from the mouth of Herlock Sholmes.) But speed isn't the only factor that matters here...
Space ships don't worry about terrain per se, but the race track passes through difficult space with a claustrophobic amount of obstructions that require an ace pilot's skills and intuition to traverse. The track also goes through the territory of nasty creatures, including a pack of Triple Helix Hammerjaws during their mating season. Good luck dealing with an aggressive male Hammerjaw that thinks you're what's between him and getting laid. On top of all that, the racers will start to notice some less than natural obstacles. Mines that blow up passing vehicles, tripwires that can catch a speeding space ship, and laser turrets aimed at the track, it seems some racers don't heed the No Weapons rule as long as it isn't on the ship itself.
Space ships don't worry about terrain per se, but the race track passes through difficult space with a claustrophobic amount of obstructions that require an ace pilot's skills and intuition to traverse. The track also goes through the territory of nasty creatures, including a pack of Triple Helix Hammerjaws during their mating season. Good luck dealing with an aggressive male Hammerjaw that thinks you're what's between him and getting laid. On top of all that, the racers will start to notice some less than natural obstacles. Mines that blow up passing vehicles, tripwires that can catch a speeding space ship, and laser turrets aimed at the track, it seems some racers don't heed the No Weapons rule as long as it isn't on the ship itself.
2Changing Hands
It's not just the competitors that have a vested interest in the outcome of this race. Intermingled with the spectators are gamblers, sweating while watching the results of their bets. No matter who wins, a lot of money is going to be exchanged in the end. Maybe try to cash out on a bet yourself, if one has a lot of faith in your fellow crewmate.
Just like on the track, people play dirty here as well. In the shadows, one might catch some suspicious looking characters lurking around. Following them will lead to one finding some tough looking guys conspiring together, with race fixing being an especially alarming keyword. Those death traps on the race track are not so inexplicable now.
It's common knowledge (to the point that locals will find you a bit naive for not knowing) that the race is a front for vast transactions of money among the local criminal empires. Investigating a bit deeper will reveal the involvement of a specific organized crime family, The Belladahlias. A lot of snooping around (whether through intelligence or arm-twisting) will disclose that the winner is rigged to be a certain ship, the Polar Star. That last tidbit will come at the cost of attracting the attention of large, suspicious followers dressed in black. Ruh-roh! Let's hope you're as fast on your feet as behind the wheel.
Just like on the track, people play dirty here as well. In the shadows, one might catch some suspicious looking characters lurking around. Following them will lead to one finding some tough looking guys conspiring together, with race fixing being an especially alarming keyword. Those death traps on the race track are not so inexplicable now.
It's common knowledge (to the point that locals will find you a bit naive for not knowing) that the race is a front for vast transactions of money among the local criminal empires. Investigating a bit deeper will reveal the involvement of a specific organized crime family, The Belladahlias. A lot of snooping around (whether through intelligence or arm-twisting) will disclose that the winner is rigged to be a certain ship, the Polar Star. That last tidbit will come at the cost of attracting the attention of large, suspicious followers dressed in black. Ruh-roh! Let's hope you're as fast on your feet as behind the wheel.
3Fast Food
Those with less of a need for speed are free to leisurely enjoy the splendors of Dayton. Attractions include rides, entertainers, and plenty of the Largest in the Tri-Galaxy Area and Smallest in the Tri-Galaxy Area of miscellaneous objects.
Dayton is practically half-shopping mall half-race course, with countless sellers attracted to the planet with dreams of extracting money from tourists. Omnipresent is the amount of merchandise centering around the Mobius Prix, each vendor promoting their racer of choice. T-shirts, water bottles, fans, balloons, anything you can slap a face on, it's being sold. When in Rome, why not do as the Romans do, and sell merchandise with a crewmate's face on it? Supportive AND profitable!
If any of the goods catches your eye, however, prepare to have to open your wallet wide. The Rat Race might be as brutal as the space ship tournament. Everything on Dayton is sold with massive price gouging, including the most overpriced hotdog you will ever see. If it's just food SUPERBIA will probably allow you to write it down as a living expense, but it's the principle of the thing.
Dayton is practically half-shopping mall half-race course, with countless sellers attracted to the planet with dreams of extracting money from tourists. Omnipresent is the amount of merchandise centering around the Mobius Prix, each vendor promoting their racer of choice. T-shirts, water bottles, fans, balloons, anything you can slap a face on, it's being sold. When in Rome, why not do as the Romans do, and sell merchandise with a crewmate's face on it? Supportive AND profitable!
If any of the goods catches your eye, however, prepare to have to open your wallet wide. The Rat Race might be as brutal as the space ship tournament. Everything on Dayton is sold with massive price gouging, including the most overpriced hotdog you will ever see. If it's just food SUPERBIA will probably allow you to write it down as a living expense, but it's the principle of the thing.
no subject
He understands the pretense of honor and etiquette, for all that anyone asked would freely admit the race is rigged. But Kimaris Vidar is precious to Gaelio, and he won't see any clumsiness put so much as a scratch on that Gundam, thank you!
Gaelio exhales forcefully through his nose, exasperated. He seems ready to scold McGillis as much as the mechanics, before his shoulders sink and his head tips skyward. ] You don't have to tell me that, [ He answers, quiet and perhaps a little sulky. His attention returns to Kimaris Vidar. ] I'm sure they're fine with spaceships but Kimaris is different! [ And if they rig the Kimaris Vidar in any way, there will be hell to pay if Gaelio has any say in the matter.
Glancing to McGillis from the corner of his eye, ] Ah... are you participating?
no subject
standing beside Gaelio, McGillis's gaze fixes on the gundam in question. Gaelio worries as though Kimaris is a friend β had cried out for Ein Dalton as though Kimaris's pilot: the latter, likely KIA, but that alone is not enough explanation to the puzzle that lay between them.
McGillis twirls the lock of hair between his eyes before pausing, catching himself. he pockets his free hand. ) Mm. I assume you're aware of the rumors. ( turning to Gaelio: ) We'll need a man inside and outside the track if we're to investigate the possibility a piece of Fortuna is here.
no subject
[ Gaelio has approached the entire thing with a skeptical air, and this first real step has only reaffirmed the idea that something is strange about the race to find Fortuna. And what does a 'piece' of Fortuna look like, anyway? ]
Anyway, whether it's real or not, it seems the... competition is real. So, that's my concern right now. If I win, we'll see for ourselves about the prize, right? [ But that's often how Gaelio is, aiming for his goal in the most direct path, no more and no less, blinkered to his surroundings. In the silence after he speaks, he thinks of how he had been so unaware of McGillis, blindsided entirely by his betrayal. He wished he had understood him sooner, too, and now...
Sometimes, it's as though he expect McGillis to be there, like it's right and it's just how it's always been. Others, it's a little startling every time he catches that blond hair or green eyes in his peripheral, a ghost out of time and out of place. Maybe here, they were both out of place. That his reactions were so different was just an attempt to reconcile the reality he was used to, and the new one.
He turns to McGillis more fully, attention visibly shifting from Kimaris Vidar to his companion. ] Have you found out anything, so far?
no subject
Ah. ( McGillis reaches into his suit, retrieving a slip of paper. ) Most of the business on Dayton is money laundering. ( in a smooth hand, easily identifiable as McGillis's own, he has written ππΈπ΅πͺπ» π’π½πͺπ». McGillis offers the slip. ) Even if Gjallarhorn's authority reached that far... The criminal syndicates in the area operate in multiple galaxies. We're out of our depth. ( who knows who's listening? )
no subject
He gives McGillis a look of confusion, one brow arched, though says nothing. In the next moment, the expression resolves into one of understanding. Gaelio folds the slip of paper, and puts it away. ]
Mm. I suppose there's nothing to be done, then. [ He leans on the railing once more, attention momentarily straying back to Kimaris Vidar. With a little smile, he watches McGillis across his shoulder. ] So, did you just come to offer friendly advice?
no subject
I would be remiss if I didn't show my support. And... ( pinched at both shoulders, McGillis presents the shirt previously hanging from his forearm: at its center, a cartoonish, if cute, version Gaelio signing V for victory. McGillis's smile turns somewhere between smug and amused the way only McGillis is. ) It seems you're very marketable.
no subject
Gaelio doesn't have time to muse on just how different that sentiment is from how he knew McGillis the last time they saw each other (in his time, anyway).
One brow arches as McGillis lifts the shirt, expression dawning into one of bewilderment. ] What- what is that?! Is that me? Why am I on a shirt?!
no subject
no subject
Butβ who would buy this? No one knows me, other than you. [ A pause. ] And, I guess some of the others SUPERBIA recruited, but they might be participating in the race too.
[ He straightens to look at McGillis. ] Did you have these made...?
no subject
a tilt of his head, the picture of π as he so often is: ) For what reason, I wonder. ( McGillis is plenty comfortable embarrassing Gaelio with his words and the implication therein. besides... his gaze returns to Gaelio. ) The casinos have kept me busy. ( McGillis's smile sharpens, ever so slight. ) I'm counting on you to win.
no subject
I'm counting on you to win. If the race is rigged, then how, sir, do you expect him to do that? He opens his mouth as though to say precisely that, then thinks better of it. Quieter, ] Ah. We'll try our best.
[ And he will try. With Kimaris Vidar being disarmed, he's not entirely sure of how well he'll do, but he's determined to give it his best shot. And maybe, at least a little (a lot), the fact that the odds are slim only encourages Gaelio. ]